Dr. S. David Stulberg, M.D.
Contact & Location
312-664-6848
Chicago, IL 60611
Chicago, IL 60614
Dr. Stulberg performs more hip replacement procedures than 14% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #157 of 184 ranked hip surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Stulberg
Practice. Dr. S. David Stulberg is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chicago, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 16 hip replacements and 15 knee replacements, 31 procedures in all. That is #157 in Illinois for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 144 in 2014 and stands at 31 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 16 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | 50 | 83 |
| 2014 | 47 | 97 |
| 2015 | 43 | 78 |
| 2016 | 48 | 76 |
| 2017 | 40 | 61 |
| 2018 | 36 | 70 |
| 2019 | 39 | 65 |
| 2020 | 20 | 32 |
| 2021 | 17 | 38 |
| 2022 | 18 | 30 |
| 2023 | 14 | 44 |
| 2024 | 16 | 15 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Stulberg Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Stulberg's recorded volume peaked at 144 procedures in 2014 and stood at 31 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Stulberg
How does Dr. Stulberg's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Stulberg has performed 31 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Illinois average is 69 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Stulberg ranks #211 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Stulberg perform?
Dr. Stulberg's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (16 cases) and knee replacement (15 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Stulberg 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. Stulberg 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Stulberg's total volume across all insurers at roughly 100 to 130 procedures against the 31 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. Stulberg's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Stulberg's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 144 procedures in 2014 and was 31 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Stulberg perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Stulberg's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (16 cases), knee replacement (15 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Stulberg affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Stulberg is affiliated with Endeavor Health Clinical Operations.
How does Dr. Stulberg compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chicago?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Stulberg ranks #24 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. Stulberg practices?
Endeavor Health Clinical Operations (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than 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. Stulberg's 31 Medicare procedures are below the Chicago average of 205. 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. Kevin Hardt | 141 | 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.