Dr. Joseph Ciotola, MD
Dr. Joseph Ciotola is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Baltimore, Maryland. A Medicare provider since 2005, Dr. Ciotola has completed 156 knee replacements (#5 in Maryland), 130 hip replacements, and 18 shoulder replacements, totaling 304 Medicare-verified procedures.
In Maryland, Dr. Ciotola performs well above average in knee (156 vs 50 avg), well above average in hip (130 vs 40 avg), below average in shoulder (18 vs 36 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 knee replacements (156 cases), followed by hip replacements (130) and shoulder replacements (18).
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 38 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 11 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 186 to 304 in the most recent data, a 63% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,720 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Ciotola's 156 verified procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45, ranking #144 nationally.
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.
Contact & Location
Baltimore, MD 21202
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ciotola's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 63% from 186 procedures in 2013 to 304 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. Ciotola
How does Dr. Ciotola's procedure volume compare to other Maryland surgeons?
Dr. Ciotola has performed 304 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Maryland average of 72 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Ciotola ranks #3 out of 161 orthopedic surgeons in Maryland.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ciotola perform?
Dr. Ciotola performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (156 cases), hip replacement (130 cases), shoulder replacement (18 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
How experienced is Dr. Ciotola with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Ciotola ranks #5 in Maryland for knee replacement with 156 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 161 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ciotola in Baltimore?
Yes. There are 38 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 304 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 304 in the most recent data, a 63% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 317 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Ciotola perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Ciotola's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (156 cases), hip replacement (130 cases), shoulder replacement (18 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 38 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 304 Medicare procedures are above the Baltimore average of 184. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Baltimore.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Marc Hungerford | 209 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Frank Ebert | 185 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert McKinstry | 158 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Henry Boucher | 150 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Harpal Khanuja | 147 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Philip Neubauer | 134 | Hip, Knee |
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