Dr. Joseph Ciotola, MD
Contact & Location
Baltimore, MD 21202
Dr. Joseph Ciotola is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Baltimore, Maryland. A Medicare provider since 2005, Dr. Ciotola has completed 155 hip replacements (#1 in Maryland), 149 knee replacements, and 27 shoulder replacements, totaling 331 Medicare-verified procedures.
In Maryland, Dr. Ciotola performs well above average in hip (155 vs 42 avg), well above average in knee (149 vs 49 avg), below average in shoulder (27 vs 34 avg).
Dr. Ciotola performs all three major joint replacement procedures — hip, knee, and shoulder — indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is hip replacements (155 cases), followed by knee replacements (149) and shoulder replacements (27).
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Ciotola holds additional credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Baltimore is home to 41 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Baltimore area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Ciotola extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 186 to 331 in the most recent data, a 78% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 4,532 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Ciotola's 155 verified procedures is more than 4x the national average of 36, ranking #22 nationally.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
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. Ciotola Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maryland state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ciotola's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 78% from 186 procedures in 2013 to 331 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.
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.
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. Ciotola
How does Dr. Ciotola's procedure volume compare to other Maryland surgeons?
Dr. Ciotola has performed 331 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Maryland average of 71 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Ciotola ranks #2 out of 166 orthopedic surgeons in Maryland.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ciotola perform?
Dr. Ciotola performs all three major joint replacement procedures: hip replacement (155 cases), knee replacement (149 cases), shoulder replacement (27 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
How experienced is Dr. Ciotola with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Ciotola ranks #1 in Maryland for hip replacement with 155 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 166 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ciotola in Baltimore?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in Baltimore 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. Ciotola 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. Ciotola's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 331 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Ciotola's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Ciotola's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 186 procedures in 2013 to 331 in the most recent data, a 78% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 331 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Ciotola perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Ciotola's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (155 cases), knee replacement (149 cases), shoulder replacement (27 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Ciotola among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Ciotola affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ciotola is affiliated with Mercy Medical Center Inc.
How does Dr. Ciotola compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Baltimore?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Baltimore, Dr. Ciotola ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Ciotola has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ciotola practices?
Mercy Medical Center Inc (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 Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. Ciotola's 331 Medicare procedures are above the Baltimore average of 176. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Baltimore.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Frank Ebert | 190 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Marc Hungerford | 180 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert McKinstry | 160 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Hasenauer | 146 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Harpal Khanuja | 119 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Gold | 106 | 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.