Dr. Paul Buzhardt, M.D.
Contact & Location
337-703-3201
Lafayette, LA 70506
Dr. Buzhardt performs more knee replacement procedures than 62% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #32 of 85 ranked knee surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Buzhardt
Practice. Dr. Paul Buzhardt is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lafayette, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 42 knee replacements and 26 hip replacements, 68 procedures in all. That is #32 in Louisiana for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 50 procedures a year to 68, up 36%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 42 procedures is near the national average of 45.
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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 35 | 15 |
| 2018 | 20 | 27 |
| 2019 | 35 | 41 |
| 2020 | 33 | 36 |
| 2021 | 33 | 41 |
| 2022 | 28 | 43 |
| 2023 | 35 | 35 |
| 2024 | 26 | 42 |
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. Buzhardt Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Buzhardt's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 36% from 50 procedures in 2017 to 68 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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 Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Buzhardt
How does Dr. Buzhardt's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Buzhardt has performed 68 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Louisiana average of 54 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Buzhardt ranks #30 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Buzhardt perform?
Dr. Buzhardt's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (42 cases) and hip replacement (26 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Buzhardt 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. Buzhardt 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. Buzhardt's total volume across all insurers at roughly 230 to 290 procedures against the 68 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. Buzhardt's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Buzhardt's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 50 procedures in 2017 to 68 in the most recent data, a 36% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 76 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Buzhardt perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Buzhardt's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (42 cases), hip replacement (26 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Buzhardt affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Buzhardt is affiliated with Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, Ochsner St Martin Hospital, Iberia Medical Center, Ochsner University Hospital And Clinics, Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Buzhardt compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Lafayette, Dr. Buzhardt ranks #5 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. Buzhardt practices?
Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than national average); Iberia Medical Center (3 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 Lafayette, Louisiana
Dr. Buzhardt's 68 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. Matthew Williams | 42 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Adam Kennedy | 29 | 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.