Dr. Christian Christensen, M.D.
Contact & Location
859-263-5140
Lexington, KY 40509
Dr. Christensen performs more knee replacement procedures than 97% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #3 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Christensen
Practice. Dr. Christian Christensen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lexington, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 170 knee replacements and 83 hip replacements, 253 procedures in all. That is #3 in Kentucky for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 218 and 282 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 170 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45. That is #113 nationally.
Local context. Lexington has 22 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 | 93 | 138 |
| 2014 | 84 | 134 |
| 2015 | 90 | 161 |
| 2016 | 84 | 150 |
| 2017 | 106 | 136 |
| 2018 | 94 | 142 |
| 2019 | 92 | 174 |
| 2020 | 96 | 176 |
| 2021 | 103 | 174 |
| 2022 | 76 | 206 |
| 2023 | 68 | 193 |
| 2024 | 83 | 170 |
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. Christensen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Christensen's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 218 to 282 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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. Christensen
How does Dr. Christensen's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Christensen has performed 253 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Kentucky average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Christensen ranks #4 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Christensen perform?
Dr. Christensen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (170 cases) and hip replacement (83 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Christensen with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Christensen ranks #3 in Kentucky for knee replacement with 170 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 128 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Christensen in Lexington?
Yes. There are 22 orthopedic surgeons in Lexington 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 Kentucky surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Christensen 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. Christensen's total volume across all insurers at roughly 860 to 1,070 procedures against the 253 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. Christensen's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Christensen's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 218 to 282 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Christensen perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Christensen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (170 cases), hip replacement (83 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Christensen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Christensen is affiliated with Chi Saint Joseph East, Centerpoint Health - Georgetown, Ephraim Mcdowell Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Health - Versailles.
How does Dr. Christensen compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lexington?
Among the 22 orthopedic surgeons in Lexington, Dr. Christensen ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Christensen has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Christensen practices?
Chi Saint Joseph East (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Centerpoint Health - Georgetown (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Ephraim Mcdowell Regional Medical Center (2 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 Lexington, Kentucky
Dr. Christensen's 253 Medicare procedures are above the Lexington average of 133. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lexington.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Tharun Karthikeyan | 205 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Denehy | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Selby | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wallace Huff | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Donegan | 82 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Luckett | 80 | 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.