Dr. Joel Virkler, D.O.
Contact & Location
765-447-4165
Lafayette, IN 47905
Dr. Virkler performs more hip replacement procedures than 80% of orthopedic surgeons in Indiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #25 of 128 ranked hip surgeons in Indiana.
About Dr. Virkler
Practice. Dr. Joel Virkler is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lafayette, Indiana. The latest annual CMS data records 46 hip replacements and 44 knee replacements, 90 procedures in all. That is #25 in Indiana for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 10 years. Volume rose from 21 procedures a year to 90, up 329%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 46 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Lafayette has 10 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 | 21 |
| 2015 | 19 | 14 |
| 2016 | 0 | 14 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 24 | 31 |
| 2019 | 22 | 34 |
| 2020 | 27 | 24 |
| 2021 | 28 | 52 |
| 2022 | 30 | 52 |
| 2023 | 30 | 41 |
| 2024 | 46 | 44 |
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. Virkler Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Indiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Virkler's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 329% from 21 procedures in 2014 to 90 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.
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.
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. Virkler
How does Dr. Virkler's procedure volume compare to other Indiana surgeons?
Dr. Virkler has performed 90 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Indiana average of 60 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Virkler ranks #40 out of 224 orthopedic surgeons in Indiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Virkler perform?
Dr. Virkler's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (46 cases) and knee replacement (44 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Virkler in Lafayette?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette 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. Virkler 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. Virkler's total volume across all insurers at roughly 300 to 380 procedures against the 90 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. Virkler's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Virkler's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 21 procedures in 2014 to 90 in the most recent data, a 329% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 90 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Virkler perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Virkler's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (46 cases), knee replacement (44 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Virkler affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Virkler is affiliated with Franciscan Health Lafayette, Franciscan Health Rensselaer, Inc, Franciscan Health Crawfordsville.
How does Dr. Virkler compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette, Dr. Virkler ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Virkler is among the highest-volume surgeons in Lafayette.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Virkler practices?
Franciscan Health Lafayette (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Franciscan Health Rensselaer, Inc (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Franciscan Health Crawfordsville (4 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 Lafayette, Indiana
Dr. Virkler's 90 Medicare procedures are above the Lafayette average of 69. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lafayette.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Daniel Daluga | 192 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Highhouse | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Peter Seymour | 47 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Mark Page | 42 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Hubbard | 31 | Knee |
| Dr. Paul Rodenhouse | 24 | Knee, Shoulder |
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.