Dr. Kirk Fee, M.D.
Contact & Location
270-782-7800
Bowling Green, KY 42103
Dr. Fee performs more knee replacement procedures than 84% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #16 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Fee
Practice. Dr. Kirk Fee is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 62 knee replacements, 25 hip replacements, and 11 shoulder replacements, 98 procedures in all. That is #16 in Kentucky for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 37 procedures a year to 98, up 165%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 62 procedures is above 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 | 37 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| 2015 | 22 | 32 | 0 |
| 2016 | 23 | 36 | 0 |
| 2017 | 30 | 37 | 0 |
| 2018 | 27 | 56 | 0 |
| 2019 | 36 | 46 | 0 |
| 2020 | 21 | 32 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 32 | 0 |
| 2022 | 24 | 56 | 0 |
| 2023 | 38 | 53 | 0 |
| 2024 | 25 | 62 | 11 |
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. Fee Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Fee's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 165% from 37 procedures in 2013 to 98 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.
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. Fee
How does Dr. Fee's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Fee has performed 98 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Kentucky average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Fee ranks #20 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Fee perform?
Dr. Fee performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (62 cases), hip replacement (25 cases), shoulder replacement (11 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
How experienced is Dr. Fee with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Fee ranks #16 in Kentucky for knee replacement with 62 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 128 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Fee 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. Fee 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. Fee's total volume across all insurers at roughly 330 to 410 procedures against the 98 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. Fee's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Fee's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 37 procedures in 2013 to 98 in the most recent data, a 165% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 98 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Fee perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Fee's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (62 cases), hip replacement (25 cases), shoulder replacement (11 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Fee among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Fee affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Fee is affiliated with Tristar Greenview Regional Hospital, The Medical Center At Bowling Green, The Medical Center At Scottsville, The Medical Center At Russellville, Cumberland County Hospital.
How does Dr. Fee compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bowling Green?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Bowling Green, Dr. Fee ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Fee is among the highest-volume surgeons in Bowling Green.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Fee 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). 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. Fee's 98 Medicare procedures are above 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. Spencer Romine | 83 | Shoulder |
| Dr. James Heltsley | 68 | Hip, Knee, 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.