Dr. Vasili Karas, M.D.
Contact & Location
312-432-2300
Chicago, IL 60612
Chicago, IL 60657
Chicago, IL 60657
Dr. Karas performs more knee replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #4 of 251 ranked knee surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Karas
Practice. Dr. Vasili Karas is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chicago, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 213 knee replacements and 74 hip replacements, 287 procedures in all. That is #4 in Illinois for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2012.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 7 years. Volume rose from 42 procedures a year to 287, up 583%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 213 procedures is more than 4x the national average of 45. That is #45 nationally.
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 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 13 | 29 |
| 2019 | 0 | 15 |
| 2020 | 35 | 71 |
| 2021 | 75 | 115 |
| 2022 | 76 | 175 |
| 2023 | 87 | 182 |
| 2024 | 74 | 213 |
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. Karas Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Karas's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 583% from 42 procedures in 2018 to 287 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. Karas
How does Dr. Karas's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Karas has performed 287 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Karas ranks #3 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Karas perform?
Dr. Karas's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (213 cases) and hip replacement (74 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Karas with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Karas ranks #4 in Illinois for knee replacement with 213 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 316 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Karas 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. Karas 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. Karas's total volume across all insurers at roughly 980 to 1,220 procedures against the 287 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. Karas's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Karas's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 42 procedures in 2018 to 287 in the most recent data, a 583% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 287 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Karas perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Karas's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (213 cases), hip replacement (74 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Karas affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Karas is affiliated with Rush Oak Park Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, Northwest Community Hospital.
How does Dr. Karas compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chicago?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Karas ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Karas is among the highest-volume surgeons in Chicago.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Karas practices?
Rush Oak Park Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Rush University Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwest Community Hospital (4 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. Karas's 287 Medicare procedures are above 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. Raju Ghate | 257 | Knee |
| Dr. Hany Bedair | 249 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Tad Gerlinger | 155 | 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.