Dr. Carl Talmo, MD
Contact & Location
617-754-5474
Boston, MA 02120
About Dr. Talmo
Dr. Carl Talmo is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Boston, Massachusetts. A Medicare provider since 2005, Dr. Talmo performed 187 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#3 in Massachusetts) and 118 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 305 procedures.
In Massachusetts, Dr. Talmo performs well above the state average in knee (187 vs 50), well above the state average in hip (118 vs 44).
Dr. Talmo's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (187 cases) and hip replacements (118 cases).
Boston is home to 50 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Boston area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Talmo extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 184 to 305 in the most recent data, a 66% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,599 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Talmo's 187 verified procedures is more than 4x the national average of 45, ranking #74 nationally.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 73 | 111 |
| 2014 | 82 | 101 |
| 2015 | 70 | 117 |
| 2016 | 89 | 142 |
| 2017 | 72 | 147 |
| 2018 | 95 | 145 |
| 2019 | 84 | 198 |
| 2020 | 93 | 155 |
| 2021 | 109 | 161 |
| 2022 | 116 | 178 |
| 2023 | 142 | 170 |
| 2024 | 118 | 187 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Talmo Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Massachusetts state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Talmo's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 66% from 184 procedures in 2013 to 305 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Talmo
How does Dr. Talmo's procedure volume compare to other Massachusetts surgeons?
Dr. Talmo has performed 305 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Massachusetts average of 74 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Talmo ranks #2 out of 203 orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Talmo perform?
Dr. Talmo's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (187 cases) and hip replacement (118 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Talmo with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Talmo ranks #3 in Massachusetts for knee replacement with 187 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 203 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Talmo in Boston?
Yes. There are 50 orthopedic surgeons in Boston 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 Massachusetts surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Talmo represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Talmo's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 305 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Talmo's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Talmo's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 184 procedures in 2013 to 305 in the most recent data, a 66% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 312 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Talmo perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Talmo's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (187 cases), hip replacement (118 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Talmo affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Talmo is affiliated with New England Baptist Hospital, Umass Memorial Health-Milford Regional Medical Ctr, Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc,The.
How does Dr. Talmo compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Boston?
Among the 50 orthopedic surgeons in Boston, Dr. Talmo ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Talmo has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Talmo practices?
New England Baptist Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Umass Memorial Health-Milford Regional Medical Ctr (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc,The (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 Boston, Massachusetts
Dr. Talmo's 305 Medicare procedures are above the Boston average of 202. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Boston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Young-Min Kwon | 235 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Bono | 204 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Pagani | 178 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Smith | 170 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Dennis Burke | 169 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Vivek Shah | 156 | Hip, 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.