Dr. Tad Gerlinger, M.D.
Contact & Location
312-432-2300
Chicago, IL 60612
Dr. Gerlinger performs more knee replacement procedures than 90% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #25 of 251 ranked knee surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Gerlinger
Practice. Dr. Tad Gerlinger is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chicago, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 105 knee replacements and 50 hip replacements, 155 procedures in all. That is #25 in Illinois for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 96 procedures a year to 155, up 61%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 105 procedures is more than 2x 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 | 38 | 58 |
| 2015 | 71 | 149 |
| 2016 | 92 | 155 |
| 2017 | 90 | 131 |
| 2018 | 80 | 132 |
| 2019 | 69 | 144 |
| 2020 | 67 | 111 |
| 2021 | 76 | 105 |
| 2022 | 70 | 115 |
| 2023 | 52 | 103 |
| 2024 | 50 | 105 |
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. Gerlinger Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Gerlinger's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 61% from 96 procedures in 2014 to 155 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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.
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. Gerlinger
How does Dr. Gerlinger's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Gerlinger has performed 155 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Gerlinger ranks #34 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Gerlinger perform?
Dr. Gerlinger's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (105 cases) and hip replacement (50 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Gerlinger 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. Gerlinger 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. Gerlinger's total volume across all insurers at roughly 530 to 660 procedures against the 155 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. Gerlinger's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Gerlinger's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 96 procedures in 2014 to 155 in the most recent data, a 61% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 247 procedures in 2016.
Does Dr. Gerlinger perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Gerlinger's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (105 cases), hip replacement (50 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Gerlinger affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Gerlinger is affiliated with Rush University Medical Center.
How does Dr. Gerlinger compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chicago?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Gerlinger ranks #5 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. Gerlinger practices?
Rush University Medical Center (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. Gerlinger's 155 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. Kevin Hardt | 141 | 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.