Dr. Lawrence Specht, M.D.
Contact & Location
781-744-8692
Burlington, MA 01805
Dr. Specht performs more hip replacement procedures than 53% of orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #56 of 121 ranked hip surgeons in Massachusetts.
About Dr. Specht
Practice. Dr. Lawrence Specht is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Burlington, Massachusetts. The latest annual CMS data records 40 hip replacements and 34 knee replacements, 74 procedures in all. That is #56 in Massachusetts for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 102 in 2018 and stands at 74 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 40 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Burlington has 8 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 | 43 | 50 |
| 2014 | 43 | 51 |
| 2015 | 35 | 42 |
| 2016 | 35 | 37 |
| 2017 | 38 | 43 |
| 2018 | 54 | 48 |
| 2019 | 49 | 48 |
| 2020 | 35 | 38 |
| 2021 | 40 | 25 |
| 2022 | 47 | 38 |
| 2023 | 40 | 43 |
| 2024 | 40 | 34 |
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, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Specht Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Massachusetts state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Specht's recorded volume peaked at 102 procedures in 2018 and stood at 74 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Specht
How does Dr. Specht's procedure volume compare to other Massachusetts surgeons?
Dr. Specht has performed 74 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Massachusetts average of 74 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Specht ranks #79 out of 203 orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Specht perform?
Dr. Specht's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (40 cases) and knee replacement (34 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Specht in Burlington?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Burlington 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. Specht 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, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Specht's total volume across all insurers at roughly 240 to 310 procedures against the 74 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. Specht's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Specht's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 102 procedures in 2018 and was 74 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Specht perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Specht's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (40 cases), knee replacement (34 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Specht affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Specht is affiliated with Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, Beverly Hospital Corporation, Winchester Hospital.
How does Dr. Specht compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Burlington?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Burlington, Dr. Specht ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Specht is among the highest-volume surgeons in Burlington.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Specht practices?
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Beverly Hospital Corporation (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Winchester Hospital (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 Burlington, Massachusetts
Dr. Specht's 74 Medicare procedures are above the Burlington average of 54. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Burlington.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Stephanie Clegg | 123 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Tilzey | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Jolley | 26 | Knee |
| Dr. Richard Iorio | 24 | Knee |
| Dr. Mark Lemos | 23 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Paul Smiley | 17 | 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.