Dr. Eric Szczesniak, M.D.
Contact & Location
219-921-1444
Chesterton, IN 46304
Portage, IN 46368
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Michigan City, IN 46360
Dr. Szczesniak performs more hip replacement procedures than 84% of orthopedic surgeons in Indiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #20 of 128 ranked hip surgeons in Indiana.
About Dr. Szczesniak
Practice. Dr. Eric Szczesniak is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chesterton, Indiana. The latest annual CMS data records 48 hip replacements and 18 knee replacements, 66 procedures in all. That is #20 in Indiana for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 29 procedures a year to 66, up 128%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 48 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Chesterton has 5 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 | 29 | 0 |
| 2018 | 43 | 14 |
| 2019 | 52 | 0 |
| 2020 | 40 | 20 |
| 2021 | 50 | 15 |
| 2022 | 45 | 21 |
| 2023 | 41 | 33 |
| 2024 | 48 | 18 |
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. Szczesniak Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Indiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Szczesniak's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 128% from 29 procedures in 2017 to 66 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 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.
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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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.
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. Szczesniak
How does Dr. Szczesniak's procedure volume compare to other Indiana surgeons?
Dr. Szczesniak has performed 66 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Indiana average of 60 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Szczesniak ranks #76 out of 224 orthopedic surgeons in Indiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Szczesniak perform?
Dr. Szczesniak's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (48 cases) and knee replacement (18 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Szczesniak with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Szczesniak ranks #20 in Indiana for hip replacement with 48 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 224 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Szczesniak in Chesterton?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Chesterton 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 Indiana surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Szczesniak 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. Szczesniak's total volume across all insurers at roughly 210 to 270 procedures against the 66 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. Szczesniak's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Szczesniak's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 29 procedures in 2017 to 66 in the most recent data, a 128% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 74 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Szczesniak perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Szczesniak's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (48 cases), knee replacement (18 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Szczesniak affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Szczesniak is affiliated with Northwest Health- Porter, Northwest Health-La Porte, St Mary Medical Center Inc, Northwest Health- Starke, Franciscan Health Crown Point.
How does Dr. Szczesniak compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chesterton?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Chesterton, Dr. Szczesniak ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Szczesniak has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Szczesniak practices?
Northwest Health- Porter (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwest Health-La Porte (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); St Mary Medical Center Inc (3 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 Chesterton, Indiana
Dr. Szczesniak's 66 Medicare procedures are above the Chesterton average of 51. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chesterton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Anthony Levenda | 57 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Thomas Kay | 55 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. David Musgrave | 50 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Paul Gruszka | 27 | 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.