Dr. James Heltsley, D.O.
Contact & Location
270-782-7800
Bowling Green, KY 42103
Dr. Heltsley performs more knee replacement procedures than 67% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #33 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Heltsley
Practice. Dr. James Heltsley is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 38 knee replacements, 16 hip replacements, and 14 shoulder replacements, 68 procedures in all. That is #33 in Kentucky for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 7 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 68, up 423%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 38 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Bowling Green has 8 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2021 | 11 | 18 | 11 |
| 2022 | 14 | 20 | 0 |
| 2023 | 12 | 39 | 17 |
| 2024 | 16 | 38 | 14 |
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Heltsley Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Heltsley's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 423% from 13 procedures in 2018 to 68 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. Heltsley
How does Dr. Heltsley's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Heltsley has performed 68 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Kentucky average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Heltsley ranks #38 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Heltsley perform?
Dr. Heltsley performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (38 cases), hip replacement (16 cases), shoulder replacement (14 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Heltsley in Bowling Green?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Bowling Green 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. Heltsley 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Heltsley's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 280 procedures against the 68 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. Heltsley's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Heltsley's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2018 to 68 in the most recent data, a 423% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 68 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Heltsley perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Heltsley's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (38 cases), hip replacement (16 cases), shoulder replacement (14 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Heltsley among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Heltsley affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Heltsley is affiliated with Tristar Greenview Regional Hospital, The Medical Center At Bowling Green, T J Samson Community Hospital, The Medical Center At Russellville, The Medical Center At Scottsville.
How does Dr. Heltsley compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bowling Green?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Bowling Green, Dr. Heltsley ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Bowling Green has 127 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Heltsley practices?
Tristar Greenview Regional Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); The Medical Center At Bowling Green (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); T J Samson Community Hospital (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 Bowling Green, Kentucky
Dr. Heltsley's 68 Medicare procedures are below the Bowling Green average of 73. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bowling Green.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Patton | 127 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Kirk Fee | 98 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Spencer Romine | 83 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Sameer Badarudeen | 52 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Richards | 43 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Robert Riley | 42 | 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.