Dr. Charles Schumacher, M.D.
Contact & Location
985-892-5117
Covington, LA 70433
Stanford, CA 94305
Dr. Schumacher performs more knee replacement procedures than 77% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #19 of 85 ranked knee surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Schumacher
Practice. Dr. Charles Schumacher is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Covington, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 59 knee replacements and 32 hip replacements, 91 procedures in all. That is #19 in Louisiana for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 91, up 727%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 59 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Covington has 6 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 | 11 | 0 |
| 2018 | 21 | 24 |
| 2019 | 15 | 46 |
| 2020 | 12 | 46 |
| 2021 | 21 | 31 |
| 2022 | 23 | 44 |
| 2023 | 25 | 51 |
| 2024 | 32 | 59 |
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. Schumacher Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Schumacher's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 727% from 11 procedures in 2017 to 91 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Schumacher
How does Dr. Schumacher's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Schumacher has performed 91 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Louisiana average of 54 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Schumacher ranks #16 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Schumacher perform?
Dr. Schumacher's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (59 cases) and hip replacement (32 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Schumacher with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Schumacher ranks #19 in Louisiana for knee replacement with 59 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 104 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Schumacher in Covington?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Covington 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. Schumacher 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. Schumacher's total volume across all insurers at roughly 310 to 380 procedures against the 91 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. Schumacher's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Schumacher's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2017 to 91 in the most recent data, a 727% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 91 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Schumacher perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Schumacher's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (59 cases), hip replacement (32 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Schumacher affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Schumacher is affiliated with Avala, St Tammany Parish Hospital, Riverside Medical Center, North Oaks Medical Center, L L C, Ochsner Medical Center.
How does Dr. Schumacher compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Covington?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Covington, Dr. Schumacher ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Schumacher has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Schumacher practices?
Avala (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Tammany Parish Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Covington, Louisiana
Dr. Schumacher's 91 Medicare procedures are above the Covington average of 29. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Covington.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Timothy Devraj | 29 | Knee |
| Dr. Matti Palo | 15 | Knee |
| Dr. Jason Rudd | 14 | Knee |
| Dr. Joey Lamartina | 12 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Kevin Darr | 11 | 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.