Dr. Rasesh Desai, M.D.
Contact & Location
270-780-2750
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Dr. Desai performs more knee replacement procedures than 30% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #72 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Desai
Practice. Dr. Rasesh Desai is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 19 knee replacements and 12 hip replacements, 31 procedures in all. That is #72 in Kentucky for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 4 years. Volume rose from 19 procedures a year to 31, up 63%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 19 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 19 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 12 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 15 |
| 2024 | 12 | 19 |
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. Desai Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Desai's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 4 years, increasing 63% from 19 procedures in 2018 to 31 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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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. Desai
How does Dr. Desai's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Desai has performed 31 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Kentucky average is 61 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Desai ranks #80 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Desai perform?
Dr. Desai's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (19 cases) and hip replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Desai 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. Desai 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. Desai's total volume across all insurers at roughly 100 to 130 procedures against the 31 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. Desai's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Desai's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 19 procedures in 2018 to 31 in the most recent data, a 63% increase over 4 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 31 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Desai perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Desai's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (19 cases), hip replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Desai affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Desai is affiliated with The Medical Center At Bowling Green, The Medical Center At Caverna, The Medical Center At Scottsville, The Medical Center At Russellville.
How does Dr. Desai compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bowling Green?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Bowling Green, Dr. Desai ranks #8 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. Desai practices?
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. Desai's 31 Medicare procedures are below the Bowling Green average of 72. 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. James Heltsley | 68 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Sameer Badarudeen | 52 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Richards | 43 | Knee, 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.