Dr. Michael O'brien, M.D.
Contact & Location
504-988-5770
New Orleans, LA 70112
Dr. O'brien performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 36% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #16 of 25 ranked shoulder surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. O'brien
Practice. Dr. Michael O'brien is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in New Orleans, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 14 shoulder replacements. That is #16 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 14, up 27%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 14 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. New Orleans has 11 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 14 |
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. O'brien Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. O'brien's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 27% from 11 procedures in 2022 to 14 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. O'brien
How does Dr. O'brien's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. O'brien has performed 14 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. O'brien ranks #92 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. O'brien perform?
Dr. O'brien's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 14 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. O'brien with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. O'brien ranks #16 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement with 14 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 104 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. O'brien in New Orleans?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans 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. O'brien 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. O'brien's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 14 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. O'brien's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. O'brien's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2022 to 14 in the most recent data, a 27% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 15 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. O'brien affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. O'brien is affiliated with East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center, West Jefferson Medical Center.
How does Dr. O'brien compare to other orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans, Dr. O'brien ranks #11 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in New Orleans has 88 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. O'brien practices?
East Jefferson General Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Ochsner Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); West Jefferson Medical Center (3 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 New Orleans, Louisiana
Dr. O'brien's 14 Medicare procedures are below the New Orleans average of 50. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in New Orleans.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Lance Estrada | 88 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Chad Millet | 73 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Willard Moore | 54 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Meyer | 44 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wesley Clark | 37 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Felix Savoie | 37 | 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.