Dr. Aaron Althaus, M.D.
Contact & Location
605-217-2667
Dakota Dunes, SD 57049
Kansas City, KS 66160
Dr. Althaus performs more knee replacement procedures than 60% of orthopedic surgeons in Kansas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #35 of 89 ranked knee surgeons in Kansas.
About Dr. Althaus
Practice. Dr. Aaron Althaus is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Kansas City, Kansas. The latest annual CMS data records 66 knee replacements and 38 hip replacements, 104 procedures in all. That is #35 in Kansas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 37 procedures a year to 104, up 181%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 66 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Kansas City has 8 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Althaus also holds hospital privileges in IA and SD, a practice that extends beyond Kansas.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 17 | 20 |
| 2018 | 18 | 20 |
| 2019 | 19 | 26 |
| 2020 | 35 | 36 |
| 2021 | 55 | 63 |
| 2022 | 47 | 68 |
| 2023 | 42 | 55 |
| 2024 | 38 | 66 |
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. Althaus Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kansas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Althaus's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 181% from 37 procedures in 2017 to 104 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Althaus
How does Dr. Althaus's procedure volume compare to other Kansas surgeons?
Dr. Althaus has performed 104 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Kansas average of 85 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Althaus ranks #35 out of 110 orthopedic surgeons in Kansas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Althaus perform?
Dr. Althaus's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (66 cases) and hip replacement (38 cases).
Where is Dr. Althaus's practice located?
Dr. Althaus's current practice address is in Dakota Dunes, SD. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Althaus's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Kansas City, Kansas.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Althaus 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. Althaus's total volume across all insurers at roughly 350 to 440 procedures against the 104 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. Althaus's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Althaus's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 37 procedures in 2017 to 104 in the most recent data, a 181% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 118 procedures in 2021.
Does Dr. Althaus perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Althaus's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (66 cases), hip replacement (38 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Althaus affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Althaus is affiliated with Floyd Valley Healthcare, Dunes Surgical Hospital, St Lukes Regional Medical Center, Cherokee Regional Medical Center, Orange City Area Health System. Dr. Althaus maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Althaus compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Kansas City?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Kansas City, Dr. Althaus ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Althaus is among the highest-volume surgeons in Kansas City.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Althaus practices?
Floyd Valley Healthcare (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Dunes Surgical Hospital (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Lukes Regional Medical Center (1 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 Kansas City, Kansas
Dr. Althaus's 104 Medicare procedures are above the Kansas City average of 57. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Kansas City.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Anderson | 134 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Katie Smeltzer | 56 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew De Ruyter | 45 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kyle Sweeney | 22 | Hip |
| Dr. John Schroeppel | 18 | Knee |
| Dr. Mitchell Birt | 17 | 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.