Dr. Russell Bear, D.O.
Contact & Location
410-768-5555
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Dr. Bear performs more knee replacement procedures than 13% of orthopedic surgeons in Maryland, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #119 of 138 ranked knee surgeons in Maryland.
About Dr. Bear
Dr. Russell Bear is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Glen Burnie, Maryland. A Medicare provider since 2007, Dr. Bear performed 16 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#119 in Maryland) and 12 shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 28 procedures.
In Maryland, Dr. Bear performs below the state average in knee (16 vs 49), below the state average in shoulder (12 vs 34).
Dr. Bear's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (16 cases) and shoulder replacements (12 cases).
Dr. Bear is the only orthopedic surgeon in Glen Burnie represented in the current Medicare dataset, serving as the primary local option for patients considering joint replacement surgery in the area.
Medicare records for Dr. Bear extend back to 2016, covering 5 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 12 to 28 in the most recent data, a 133% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Bear's 16 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 12 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 15 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 17 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 25 | 11 |
| 2024 | 16 | 12 |
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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 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. Bear Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maryland state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Bear's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 133% from 12 procedures in 2016 to 28 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Bear
How does Dr. Bear's procedure volume compare to other Maryland surgeons?
Dr. Bear has performed 28 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Maryland average is 71 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Bear ranks #118 out of 166 orthopedic surgeons in Maryland.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Bear perform?
Dr. Bear's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (16 cases) and shoulder replacement (12 cases).
Where is Dr. Bear's practice located?
Dr. Bear practices in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The office is located at 200 Hospital Dr, Glen Burnie, MD 21061. Patients in the surrounding area can consult Dr. Bear for joint replacement evaluation.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Bear 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Bear's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 procedures against the 28 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. Bear's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Bear's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2016 to 28 in the most recent data, a 133% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 36 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Bear perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Bear's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (16 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Bear affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Bear is affiliated with Umd Baltimore Washington Medical Center.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Bear practices?
Umd Baltimore Washington Medical Center (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.
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.