#12 in Louisiana
Shoulder

Dr. Brian Etier, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery
19 procedures 1 hospital Lafayette, LA
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Rising Star
Shoulder replacement recovery kit Slings, cold therapy, and adaptive clothing for recovery
National Comparison by Procedure
Shoulder 19 vs 28 avg (2,092 surgeons)

Dr. Brian Etier is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lafayette, Louisiana. A Medicare provider since 2010, Dr. Etier has performed 19 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #12 in Louisiana.

In Louisiana, Dr. Etier performs below average in shoulder (19 vs 25 avg).

Dr. Etier's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 19 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.

Lafayette is home to 11 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Lafayette area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Medicare records for Dr. Etier extend back to 2018, covering 6 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 12 to 19 in the most recent data, a 58% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.

Dr. Etier's 19 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 28 among 2,092 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.

Verified Medicare Cases

Shoulder Replacement
19 verified cases
#12 in Louisiana
Estimated total: 50 – 60 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
How is this estimated?

Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.

How Dr. Etier Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.

Shoulder Below Avg
19 Avg: 25
Dr. Etier Louisiana Average

Contact & Location

Phone: 337-703-3201
4212 W Congress St Ste 3100
Lafayette, LA 70506
NPI: 1336467323
Credentials: M.D.
Active Medicare provider (NPI verified)
16 years of practice experience
Licensed M.D.
Licensed surgical specialist
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
Contact information available
Find Practice on Google Maps

Volume Trend Analysis

Dr. Etier's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 58% from 12 procedures in 2018 to 19 in the most recent data.

Years of Data 6
2023 Volume 19
Peak Volume 27 (2020)
Trend Growing

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center
★★★☆☆
Lafayette, LA
Better than national avg

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.

Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:

Week 1-3 Arm in a sling for protection. Gentle pendulum exercises under therapist guidance. Focus on pain management and wound care.
Week 4-6 Gradual sling weaning. Begin passive and active-assisted range-of-motion exercises. Light daily activities resume.
Week 7-12 Active range-of-motion exercises. Light strengthening begins. Most patients can drive and perform desk work.
Month 4-6 Progressive strengthening continues. Return to most activities. Full recovery may take 6-12 months for complete shoulder strength.

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. Etier

How does Dr. Etier's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?

Dr. Etier has performed 19 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Louisiana average is 51 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Etier ranks #85 out of 118 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Etier perform?

Dr. Etier's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 19 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.

How experienced is Dr. Etier with shoulder replacement surgery?

Dr. Etier ranks #12 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement with 19 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 118 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Etier in Lafayette?

Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette 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 Louisiana surgeons.

What does the Medicare data for Dr. Etier represent?

The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Etier's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 19 procedures shown here.

Has Dr. Etier's procedure volume changed over time?

Yes. Dr. Etier's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2018 to 19 in the most recent data, a 58% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 27 procedures in 2020.

Which hospitals is Dr. Etier affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Etier is affiliated with Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center.

How does Dr. Etier compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette?

Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette, Dr. Etier ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Lafayette has 130 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Etier practices?

Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.

Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Lafayette, Louisiana

Dr. Etier's 19 Medicare procedures are below the Lafayette average of 85. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lafayette.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. Edward Yerger 130 Hip, Knee
Dr. Adam Perry 121 Hip, Knee
Dr. James Kyle 109 Hip, Knee
Dr. Michael Duval 74 Hip, Knee, Shoulder
Dr. Thomas Montgomery 74 Hip, Knee
Dr. Paul Buzhardt 70 Hip, Knee

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Brian Etier, M.D. -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/la/dr-brian-etier-lafayette.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/la/dr-brian-etier-lafayette.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.