Dr. Thomas Axelrad, M.D.
Contact & Location
707-546-1922
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Dr. Axelrad performs more hip replacement procedures than 41% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #28 of 48 ranked hip surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Axelrad
Practice. Dr. Thomas Axelrad is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 21 hip replacements. That is #28 in Louisiana for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 10 years. Volume rose from 15 procedures a year to 21, up 40%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 21 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Lake Charles 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 | Hip Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 21 |
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 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. Axelrad Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Axelrad's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 40% from 15 procedures in 2014 to 21 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Axelrad
How does Dr. Axelrad's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Axelrad has performed 21 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. Axelrad ranks #75 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Axelrad perform?
Dr. Axelrad's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 21 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Where is Dr. Axelrad's practice located?
Dr. Axelrad's current practice address is in Santa Rosa, CA. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Axelrad's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Lake Charles, Louisiana.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Axelrad 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Axelrad's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 80 procedures against the 21 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. Axelrad's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Axelrad's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 15 procedures in 2014 to 21 in the most recent data, a 40% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 31 procedures in 2017.
Which hospitals is Dr. Axelrad affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Axelrad is affiliated with Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, Petaluma Valley Hospital, Adventist Health Clearlake, Healdsburg Hospital. Dr. Axelrad maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Axelrad compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lake Charles?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lake Charles, Dr. Axelrad ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Lake Charles has 106 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Axelrad practices?
Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Petaluma Valley 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 Lake Charles, Louisiana
Dr. Axelrad's 21 Medicare procedures are below the Lake Charles average of 67. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lake Charles.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Steven Hale | 106 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nathan Cohen | 87 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Garitty | 84 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Foret | 75 | Knee |
| Dr. Charles Hansen | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. George Trappey | 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.