Dr. William Polio, M.D.
Contact & Location
270-926-4100
Owensboro, KY 42301
Dr. Polio performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 35% of orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #27 of 42 ranked shoulder surgeons in Kentucky.
About Dr. Polio
Practice. Dr. William Polio is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Owensboro, Kentucky. The latest annual CMS data records 17 shoulder replacements. That is #27 in Kentucky for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Dr. Polio first appears in the Medicare data in 2022. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 17 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Owensboro has 7 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 34 procedures in 2022 and 17 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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 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. Polio Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Kentucky state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Polio has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2022. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Polio
How does Dr. Polio's procedure volume compare to other Kentucky surgeons?
Dr. Polio has performed 17 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. Polio ranks #105 out of 128 orthopedic surgeons in Kentucky.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Polio perform?
Dr. Polio's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 17 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Polio in Owensboro?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in Owensboro 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. Polio 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Polio's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 17 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Polio affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Polio is affiliated with Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Deaconess Henderson Hospital, Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital.
How does Dr. Polio compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Owensboro?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in Owensboro, Dr. Polio ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Owensboro has 51 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Polio practices?
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Deaconess Henderson Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital (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 Owensboro, Kentucky
Dr. Polio's 17 Medicare procedures are below the Owensboro average of 32. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Owensboro.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Charles Milem | 51 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Anthony McBride | 48 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Moore | 42 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Reid Wilson | 28 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Polio | 26 | Knee |
| Dr. Geoffrey Hulse | 12 | 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.