Dr. James Kuhn, M.D.
Contact & Location
207-482-7800
Portland, ME 04102
Dr. Kuhn performs more hip replacement procedures than 39% of orthopedic surgeons in Maine, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #17 of 28 ranked hip surgeons in Maine.
About Dr. Kuhn
Practice. Dr. James Kuhn is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Portland, Maine. The latest annual CMS data records 21 hip replacements and 16 knee replacements, 37 procedures in all. That is #17 in Maine for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 16 and 52 procedures a year.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 21 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Portland has 6 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 15 | 23 |
| 2014 | 0 | 20 |
| 2015 | 0 | 21 |
| 2016 | 16 | 27 |
| 2017 | 18 | 21 |
| 2018 | 24 | 28 |
| 2019 | 11 | 21 |
| 2020 | 0 | 16 |
| 2021 | 0 | 19 |
| 2022 | 0 | 26 |
| 2023 | 22 | 29 |
| 2024 | 21 | 16 |
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. Kuhn Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maine state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kuhn's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 16 to 52 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 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.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Kuhn
How does Dr. Kuhn's procedure volume compare to other Maine surgeons?
Dr. Kuhn has performed 37 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Maine average is 52 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Kuhn ranks #20 out of 43 orthopedic surgeons in Maine.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kuhn perform?
Dr. Kuhn's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (21 cases) and knee replacement (16 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Kuhn with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Kuhn ranks #17 in Maine for hip replacement with 21 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 43 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kuhn in Portland?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Portland 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 Maine surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Kuhn 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. Kuhn's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 37 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. Kuhn's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Kuhn's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 16 to 52 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Kuhn perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Kuhn's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (21 cases), knee replacement (16 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kuhn affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kuhn is affiliated with Northern Light Mercy Hospital, Mainehealth Stephens Hospital.
How does Dr. Kuhn compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Portland?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Portland, Dr. Kuhn ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Kuhn is among the highest-volume surgeons in Portland.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kuhn practices?
Northern Light Mercy Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Mainehealth Stephens Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Portland, Maine
Dr. Kuhn's 37 Medicare procedures are above the Portland average of 31. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Portland.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Newman | 64 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wayne Piers | 38 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sarah Shubert | 18 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Stephen Barr | 15 | Hip |
| Dr. Bryce Wolf | 15 | 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.