Dr. James Baker
Contact & Location
502-587-8222
Louisville, KY 40202
Dr. Baker performs more knee replacement procedures than 72% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #28 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Baker
Practice. Dr. James Baker is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Louisville, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 46 knee replacements and 15 hip replacements, 61 procedures in all. That is #28 in Kentucky for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2021 to 2024, 4 years. Volume rose from 18 procedures a year to 61, up 239%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 46 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Louisville has 40 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 | 18 | 0 |
| 2022 | 18 | 29 |
| 2023 | 27 | 32 |
| 2024 | 15 | 46 |
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. Baker Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Baker's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 4 years, increasing 239% from 18 procedures in 2021 to 61 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.
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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Baker
How does Dr. Baker's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Baker has performed 61 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Kentucky average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Baker ranks #42 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Baker perform?
Dr. Baker's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (46 cases) and hip replacement (15 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Baker in Louisville?
Yes. There are 40 orthopedic surgeons in Louisville 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. Baker 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. Baker's total volume across all insurers at roughly 210 to 260 procedures against the 61 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. Baker's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Baker's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 18 procedures in 2021 to 61 in the most recent data, a 239% increase over 4 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 61 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Baker perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Baker's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (46 cases), hip replacement (15 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Baker affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Baker is affiliated with Uofl Health - Jewish Hospital, Baptist Health Hardin.
How does Dr. Baker compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Louisville?
Among the 40 orthopedic surgeons in Louisville, Dr. Baker ranks #15 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Louisville has 323 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Baker practices?
Uofl Health - Jewish Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Baptist Health Hardin (2 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 Louisville, Kentucky
Dr. Baker's 61 Medicare procedures are below the Louisville average of 216. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Louisville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jonathan Yerasimides | 323 | Hip |
| Dr. Reid Brown | 300 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Sweet | 276 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Greene | 215 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Goodin | 190 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Krupp | 144 | 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.