Dr. Paul Smiley, M.D.
Contact & Location
781-744-5100
Burlington, MA 01805
Dr. Smiley performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 26% of orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #34 of 46 ranked shoulder surgeons in Massachusetts.
About Dr. Smiley
Practice. Dr. Paul Smiley is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Burlington, Massachusetts. The latest annual CMS data records 17 shoulder replacements. That is #34 in Massachusetts for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 7 years. Volume has held between 11 and 18 procedures a year.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 17 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 17 |
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. Smiley Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Massachusetts state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in Massachusetts
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Smiley's procedure volume has been consistent across 7 years of Medicare data, ranging from 11 to 18 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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 step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Smiley
How does Dr. Smiley's procedure volume compare to other Massachusetts surgeons?
Dr. Smiley has performed 17 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Massachusetts average is 74 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Smiley ranks #179 out of 203 orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Smiley perform?
Dr. Smiley's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 17 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Smiley 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. Smiley 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. Smiley's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 17 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. Smiley's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Smiley's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 7 years of Medicare data, ranging from 11 to 18 procedures per year between 2017 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Smiley affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Smiley is affiliated with Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, Beverly Hospital Corporation, Winchester Hospital, Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital, Anna Jaques Hospital.
How does Dr. Smiley compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Burlington?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Burlington, Dr. Smiley ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Burlington has 123 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Smiley 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. Smiley's 17 Medicare procedures are below 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. Lawrence Specht | 74 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Jolley | 26 | Knee |
| Dr. Richard Iorio | 24 | Knee |
| Dr. Mark Lemos | 23 | 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.