Dr. Vasili Karas, M.D.
Dr. Vasili Karas is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chicago, Illinois. A Medicare provider since 2012, Dr. Karas has performed 182 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#4 in Illinois) and 87 hip replacements, for a combined total of 269 procedures.
In Illinois, Dr. Karas performs well above average in knee (182 vs 51 avg), well above average in hip (87 vs 38 avg).
Dr. Karas's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (182 cases) and hip replacements (87 cases).
Chicago is home to 43 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Chicago area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Karas extend back to 2018, covering 6 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 42 to 269 in the most recent data, a 540% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,720 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Karas's 182 verified procedures is more than 4x the national average of 45, ranking #77 nationally.
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Karas Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Contact & Location
Chicago, IL 60612
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Karas's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 540% from 42 procedures in 2018 to 269 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 269 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Karas ranks #3 out of 323 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Karas perform?
Dr. Karas's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (182 cases) and hip replacement (87 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Karas with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Karas ranks #4 in Illinois for knee replacement with 182 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 323 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Karas in Chicago?
Yes. There are 43 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 the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Karas's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 269 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Karas's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Karas's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 42 procedures in 2018 to 269 in the most recent data, a 540% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 269 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Karas perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Karas's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (182 cases), hip replacement (87 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.
How does Dr. Karas compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chicago?
Among the 43 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). 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 269 Medicare procedures are above the Chicago average of 225. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chicago.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Denis Nam | 308 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Raju Ghate | 256 | Knee |
| Dr. Hany Bedair | 238 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bryan Haughom | 189 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brett Levine | 160 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Tad Gerlinger | 155 | Hip, Knee |
Patient Reviews & Ratings
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