Dr. John Blankenship, M.D.
Contact & Location
270-737-4343
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Dr. Blankenship performs more knee replacement procedures than 70% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #30 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Blankenship
Practice. Dr. John Blankenship is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 44 knee replacements, 17 shoulder replacements, and 16 hip replacements, 77 procedures in all. That is #30 in Kentucky for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 14 procedures a year to 77, up 450%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 44 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Elizabethtown has 4 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 | 14 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 28 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 32 | 11 |
| 2021 | 0 | 39 | 13 |
| 2022 | 24 | 32 | 11 |
| 2023 | 0 | 51 | 20 |
| 2024 | 16 | 44 | 17 |
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Blankenship Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Blankenship's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 450% from 14 procedures in 2017 to 77 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Blankenship
How does Dr. Blankenship's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Blankenship has performed 77 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Kentucky average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Blankenship ranks #30 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Blankenship perform?
Dr. Blankenship performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (44 cases), shoulder replacement (17 cases), hip replacement (16 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Blankenship in Elizabethtown?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Elizabethtown 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. Blankenship 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Blankenship's total volume across all insurers at roughly 250 to 310 procedures against the 77 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. Blankenship's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Blankenship's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 14 procedures in 2017 to 77 in the most recent data, a 450% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 77 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Blankenship perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Blankenship's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (44 cases), shoulder replacement (17 cases), hip replacement (16 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Blankenship among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Blankenship affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Blankenship is affiliated with Baptist Health Hardin.
How does Dr. Blankenship compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Elizabethtown?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Elizabethtown, Dr. Blankenship ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Blankenship is among the highest-volume surgeons in Elizabethtown.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Blankenship practices?
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 Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Dr. Blankenship's 77 Medicare procedures are below the Elizabethtown average of 82. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Elizabethtown.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Marcis Craig | 114 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Jeffrey Been | 111 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Cody Bearden | 26 | 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.