Dr. Richard Sweet, M.D.
Contact & Location
502-897-1794
Louisville, KY 40207
New Albany, IN 47150
Louisville, KY 40207
Dr. Sweet performs more knee replacement procedures than 96% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #4 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Sweet
Practice. Dr. Richard Sweet is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Louisville, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 163 knee replacements and 113 hip replacements, 276 procedures in all. That is #4 in Kentucky for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2012.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 69 procedures a year to 276, up 300%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 163 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45. That is #131 nationally.
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. Dr. Sweet also holds hospital privileges in KY and IN, a practice that extends beyond Kentucky.
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 | 31 | 38 | 0 |
| 2018 | 89 | 61 | 0 |
| 2019 | 49 | 19 | 0 |
| 2020 | 68 | 41 | 0 |
| 2021 | 112 | 90 | 12 |
| 2022 | 84 | 128 | 0 |
| 2023 | 114 | 147 | 0 |
| 2024 | 113 | 163 | 0 |
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. Sweet Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sweet's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 300% from 69 procedures in 2017 to 276 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.
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 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. Sweet
How does Dr. Sweet's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Sweet has performed 276 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Kentucky average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Sweet ranks #3 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sweet perform?
Dr. Sweet's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (163 cases) and hip replacement (113 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Sweet with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Sweet ranks #4 in Kentucky for knee replacement with 163 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 128 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sweet 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. Sweet 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. Sweet's total volume across all insurers at roughly 920 to 1,160 procedures against the 276 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. Sweet's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Sweet's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 69 procedures in 2017 to 276 in the most recent data, a 300% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 276 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Sweet perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sweet's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (163 cases), hip replacement (113 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sweet affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sweet is affiliated with Baptist Health Louisville, Baptist Health Floyd, Baptist Health La Grange, Baptist Health Hardin. Dr. Sweet maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Sweet compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Louisville?
Among the 40 orthopedic surgeons in Louisville, Dr. Sweet ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Sweet is among the highest-volume surgeons in Louisville.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sweet practices?
Baptist Health Louisville (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Baptist Health Floyd (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Baptist Health La Grange (4 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 Louisville, Kentucky
Dr. Sweet's 276 Medicare procedures are above the Louisville average of 225. 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. Joseph Greene | 215 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Goodin | 190 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Krupp | 144 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Madhusudhan Yakkanti | 130 | 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.