Dr. James Melvin, M.D.
Contact & Location
301-882-2000
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Dr. Melvin performs more hip replacement procedures than 89% of orthopedic surgeons in Maryland, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #9 of 89 ranked hip surgeons in Maryland.
About Dr. Melvin
Practice. Dr. James Melvin is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The latest annual CMS data records 87 hip replacements and 66 knee replacements, 153 procedures in all. That is #9 in Maryland for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 70 procedures a year to 153, up 119%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 87 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.
Local context. Chevy Chase has 9 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Melvin also holds hospital privileges in DC and VA, a practice that extends beyond Maryland.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 41 | 29 |
| 2014 | 44 | 32 |
| 2015 | 52 | 45 |
| 2016 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 | 13 | 0 |
| 2018 | 41 | 30 |
| 2019 | 68 | 43 |
| 2020 | 59 | 50 |
| 2021 | 90 | 67 |
| 2022 | 101 | 56 |
| 2023 | 106 | 69 |
| 2024 | 87 | 66 |
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. Melvin Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maryland state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Melvin's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 119% from 70 procedures in 2013 to 153 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Melvin
How does Dr. Melvin's procedure volume compare to other Maryland surgeons?
Dr. Melvin has performed 153 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Maryland average of 71 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Melvin ranks #21 out of 166 orthopedic surgeons in Maryland.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Melvin perform?
Dr. Melvin's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (87 cases) and knee replacement (66 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Melvin with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Melvin ranks #9 in Maryland for hip replacement with 87 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 166 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Melvin in Chevy Chase?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Chevy Chase 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 Maryland surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Melvin 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. Melvin's total volume across all insurers at roughly 500 to 630 procedures against the 153 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. Melvin's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Melvin's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 70 procedures in 2013 to 153 in the most recent data, a 119% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 175 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Melvin perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Melvin's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (87 cases), knee replacement (66 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Melvin affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Melvin is affiliated with Sibley Memorial Hospital, Virginia Hospital Center, George Washington Univ Hospital, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Inova Alexandria Hospital. Dr. Melvin maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Melvin compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chevy Chase?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Chevy Chase, Dr. Melvin ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Melvin is among the highest-volume surgeons in Chevy Chase.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Melvin practices?
Sibley Memorial Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Virginia Hospital Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); George Washington Univ Hospital (1 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 Chevy Chase, Maryland
Dr. Melvin's 153 Medicare procedures are above the Chevy Chase average of 94. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chevy Chase.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Gautam Siram | 206 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Antoni Goral | 82 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Marc Connell | 70 | Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Scully | 58 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Zohair Alam | 48 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Klimkiewicz | 43 | 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.