Dr. Eric Schafer, M.D.
Contact & Location
859-263-5140
Lexington, KY 40509
Georgetown, KY 40324
Lexington, KY 40509
Nicholasville, KY 40356
Lexington, KY 40509
Dr. Schafer performs more knee replacement procedures than 55% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #46 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Schafer
Practice. Dr. Eric Schafer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lexington, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 31 knee replacements and 28 hip replacements, 59 procedures in all. That is #46 in Kentucky for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2021 to 2024, 4 years. Volume peaked at 128 in 2022 and stands at 59 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 31 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 27 | 48 |
| 2022 | 58 | 70 |
| 2023 | 21 | 18 |
| 2024 | 28 | 31 |
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. Schafer Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Schafer's recorded volume peaked at 128 procedures in 2022 and stood at 59 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
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.
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. Schafer
How does Dr. Schafer's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Schafer has performed 59 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Kentucky average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Schafer ranks #45 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Schafer perform?
Dr. Schafer's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (31 cases) and hip replacement (28 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Schafer 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. Schafer 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. Schafer's total volume across all insurers at roughly 200 to 250 procedures against the 59 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. Schafer's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Schafer's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 128 procedures in 2022 and was 59 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Schafer perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Schafer's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (31 cases), hip replacement (28 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Schafer affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Schafer is affiliated with Chi Saint Joseph East, Baptist Health Lexington, Chi Saint Joseph London.
How does Dr. Schafer compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lexington?
Among the 22 orthopedic surgeons in Lexington, Dr. Schafer ranks #11 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Lexington has 253 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Schafer practices?
Chi Saint Joseph East (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Baptist Health Lexington (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Chi Saint Joseph London (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 Lexington, Kentucky
Dr. Schafer's 59 Medicare procedures are below the Lexington average of 130. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lexington.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christian Christensen | 253 | Hip, Knee |
| 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 |
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.