Dr. Brian Etier, M.D.
Contact & Location
337-703-3201
Lafayette, LA 70506
Dr. Etier performs more knee replacement procedures than 8% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #78 of 85 ranked knee surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Etier
Practice. Dr. Brian Etier is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lafayette, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 13 knee replacements and 13 shoulder replacements, 26 procedures in all. That is #78 in Louisiana for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 7 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 26, up 117%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 13 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Lafayette has 10 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 12 |
| 2019 | 0 | 24 |
| 2020 | 0 | 27 |
| 2021 | 0 | 26 |
| 2022 | 0 | 17 |
| 2023 | 0 | 19 |
| 2024 | 13 | 13 |
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, 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. Etier Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Etier's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 117% from 12 procedures in 2018 to 26 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. Etier
How does Dr. Etier's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Etier has performed 26 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Louisiana average is 54 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Etier ranks #69 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Etier perform?
Dr. Etier's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (13 cases) and shoulder replacement (13 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Etier in Lafayette?
Yes. There are 10 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 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Etier's total volume across all insurers at roughly 80 to 100 procedures against the 26 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. Etier's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Etier's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2018 to 26 in the most recent data, a 117% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 27 procedures in 2020.
Does Dr. Etier perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Etier's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (13 cases), shoulder replacement (13 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Etier affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Etier is affiliated with Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, Ochsner St Martin Hospital, Ochsner University Hospital And Clinics.
How does Dr. Etier compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette, Dr. Etier ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Lafayette has 154 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); Ochsner University Hospital And Clinics (1 out of 5 CMS stars). 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 26 Medicare procedures are below the Lafayette average of 87. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lafayette.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Edward Yerger | 154 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Kyle | 153 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Montgomery | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Duval | 74 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Paul Buzhardt | 68 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Williams | 42 | 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.