Dr. Varun Sharma, M.D.
Contact & Location
217-547-9100
Springfield, IL 62711
Dr. Sharma performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 56% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #35 of 80 ranked shoulder surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Sharma
Practice. Dr. Varun Sharma is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Springfield, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 23 shoulder replacements and 12 knee replacements, 35 procedures in all. That is #35 in Illinois for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2019.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume has held between 12 and 38 procedures a year.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 23 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Springfield has 15 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 23 | 15 |
| 2020 | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 | 0 | 20 |
| 2022 | 0 | 17 |
| 2023 | 0 | 12 |
| 2024 | 12 | 23 |
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, 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. Sharma Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sharma's procedure volume has been consistent across 6 years of Medicare data, ranging from 12 to 38 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
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. Sharma
How does Dr. Sharma's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Sharma has performed 35 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. Sharma ranks #198 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sharma perform?
Dr. Sharma's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (23 cases) and knee replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sharma in Springfield?
Yes. There are 15 orthopedic surgeons in Springfield 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. Sharma 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, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Sharma's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 130 procedures against the 35 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. Sharma's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Sharma's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 6 years of Medicare data, ranging from 12 to 38 procedures per year between 2019 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Sharma perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sharma's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (23 cases), knee replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sharma affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sharma is affiliated with Memorial Medical Center, St Johns Hospital, Carlinville Area Hospital, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, St Francis Hospital.
How does Dr. Sharma compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Springfield?
Among the 15 orthopedic surgeons in Springfield, Dr. Sharma ranks #9 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Springfield has 134 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sharma practices?
Memorial Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Johns Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Springfield, Illinois
Dr. Sharma's 35 Medicare procedures are below the Springfield average of 99. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Springfield.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Dane Church | 134 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. D Allan | 130 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Piero Capecci | 123 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Pate | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Rossi | 94 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer | 62 | 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.