Dr. Robert Thorsness, M.D.
Contact & Location
815-744-4455
Joliet, IL 60435
New Lenox, IL 60451
Dr. Thorsness performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 95% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #4 of 80 ranked shoulder surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Thorsness
Practice. Dr. Robert Thorsness is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Joliet, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 70 shoulder replacements. That is #4 in Illinois for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 70, up 483%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 70 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 29. That is #118 nationally.
Local context. Joliet has 5 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2022 | 49 |
| 2023 | 72 |
| 2024 | 70 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Thorsness Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Thorsness's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 483% from 12 procedures in 2017 to 70 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Thorsness
How does Dr. Thorsness's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Thorsness has performed 70 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Thorsness ranks #120 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Thorsness perform?
Dr. Thorsness's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 70 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Thorsness with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Thorsness ranks #4 in Illinois for shoulder replacement with 70 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 316 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Thorsness in Joliet?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Joliet 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. Thorsness 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Thorsness's total volume across all insurers at roughly 190 to 240 procedures against the 70 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. Thorsness's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Thorsness's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2017 to 70 in the most recent data, a 483% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 72 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Thorsness affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Thorsness is affiliated with Silver Cross Hospital And Medical Centers, Uchicago Medicine Adventhealth La Grange, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, Saint Joseph Medical Center.
How does Dr. Thorsness compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Joliet?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Joliet, Dr. Thorsness ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Thorsness is among the highest-volume surgeons in Joliet.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Thorsness practices?
Silver Cross Hospital And Medical Centers (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Uchicago Medicine Adventhealth La Grange (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers (3 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 Joliet, Illinois
Dr. Thorsness's 70 Medicare procedures are below the Joliet average of 80. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Joliet.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Anuj Puppala | 242 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jason Hurbanek | 36 | Knee |
| Dr. Bradley Dworsky | 28 | Knee |
| Dr. Jourdan Cancienne | 24 | Shoulder |
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.