Dr. Kevin Hardt, M.D.
Contact & Location
312-695-6800
Chicago, IL 60611
Dr. Hardt performs more knee replacement procedures than 80% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #50 of 251 ranked knee surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Hardt
Practice. Dr. Kevin Hardt is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chicago, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 79 knee replacements and 62 hip replacements, 141 procedures in all. That is #50 in Illinois for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 17 procedures a year to 141, up 729%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 79 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Chicago has 41 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 17 |
| 2015 | 21 | 24 |
| 2016 | 23 | 25 |
| 2017 | 44 | 26 |
| 2018 | 44 | 50 |
| 2019 | 53 | 62 |
| 2020 | 64 | 34 |
| 2021 | 60 | 64 |
| 2022 | 60 | 75 |
| 2023 | 55 | 87 |
| 2024 | 62 | 79 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims are one payer stream among several, and the share they represent differs by procedure. In 2024 it was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement. Each verified count above is divided by its own procedure's range, and the results are added, to estimate total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count is the definitive, audited figure; this is a range derived from published national volume projections, not a measurement, and an individual practice can sit well outside it: how these ranges are derived, and their sources.
How Dr. Hardt Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hardt's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 729% from 17 procedures in 2014 to 141 in the most recent data.
Hospital Affiliations & Quality
Quality ratings and complication rates are hospital-level metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon performance. Star ratings updated quarterly. Complication data covers a rolling 3-year period.
Patient Resources: Preparing for Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Hardt
How does Dr. Hardt's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Hardt has performed 141 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Hardt ranks #41 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hardt perform?
Dr. Hardt's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (79 cases) and hip replacement (62 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hardt in Chicago?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago in the current Medicare dataset. Patients can compare procedure volumes and specializations to choose the surgeon who best fits their needs. Use the state page to view all Illinois surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Hardt represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on 2024 Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare fee-for-service is only one payer stream, and the share of national volume it represents differs by procedure. In 2024 the share was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Hardt's total volume across all insurers at roughly 470 to 590 procedures against the 141 verified here. Those shares are derived from published national volume projections rather than quoted from a single publication, and they are estimates with real uncertainty. The OrthoProcedures methodology page shows the full derivation, the sources, and the limits at orthoprocedures.com/data-methodology.html.
Has Dr. Hardt's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Hardt's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 17 procedures in 2014 to 141 in the most recent data, a 729% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 142 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Hardt perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Hardt's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (79 cases), hip replacement (62 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hardt affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hardt is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Central Dupage Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Mchenry Hospital, Palos Community Hospital.
How does Dr. Hardt compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chicago?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Hardt ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Chicago has 318 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hardt practices?
Northwestern Memorial Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwestern Medicine Central Dupage Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Hardt's 141 Medicare procedures are below the Chicago average of 219. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chicago.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Denis Nam | 318 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Vasili Karas | 287 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Raju Ghate | 257 | Knee |
| Dr. Hany Bedair | 249 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Tad Gerlinger | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Hue Luu | 123 | Hip, Knee |
Patient Resources & Verification
Research reviews, verify credentials, and check official quality data through these trusted sources:
Medicare Care Compare and NPI Registry are official U.S. government sources. Google reviews reflect user-submitted feedback. OrthoProcedures.com does not verify the accuracy of third-party review content.