Dr. Stephen Walsh, M.D.
Contact & Location
207-307-8901
Bangor, ME 04401
Dr. Walsh performs more knee replacement procedures than 76% of orthopedic surgeons in Maine, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #6 of 26 ranked knee surgeons in Maine.
About Dr. Walsh
Practice. Dr. Stephen Walsh is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bangor, Maine. The latest annual CMS data records 49 knee replacements and 15 hip replacements, 64 procedures in all. That is #6 in Maine for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 137 in 2014 and stands at 64 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 49 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Bangor 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 | 55 | 80 |
| 2014 | 47 | 90 |
| 2015 | 52 | 81 |
| 2016 | 40 | 69 |
| 2017 | 33 | 46 |
| 2018 | 27 | 56 |
| 2019 | 38 | 50 |
| 2020 | 23 | 35 |
| 2021 | 31 | 51 |
| 2022 | 32 | 52 |
| 2023 | 19 | 40 |
| 2024 | 15 | 49 |
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, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Walsh Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maine state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Walsh's recorded volume peaked at 137 procedures in 2014 and stood at 64 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
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.
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. Walsh
How does Dr. Walsh's procedure volume compare to other Maine surgeons?
Dr. Walsh has performed 64 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Maine average of 52 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Walsh ranks #16 out of 43 orthopedic surgeons in Maine.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Walsh perform?
Dr. Walsh's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (49 cases) and hip replacement (15 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Walsh with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Walsh ranks #6 in Maine for knee replacement with 49 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 43 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Walsh in Bangor?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Bangor 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. Walsh 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Walsh's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 270 procedures against the 64 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. Walsh's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Walsh's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 137 procedures in 2014 and was 64 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Walsh perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Walsh's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (49 cases), hip replacement (15 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Walsh affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Walsh is affiliated with St Joseph Hospital, Northern Light Mayo Hospital, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, Northern Light Blue Hill Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Walsh compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bangor?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Bangor, Dr. Walsh ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Bangor has 243 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Walsh practices?
St Joseph Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northern Light Mayo Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Northern Light Eastern Maine 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.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Bangor, Maine
Dr. Walsh's 64 Medicare procedures are below the Bangor average of 84. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bangor.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jason Lang | 243 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Antonios Tsismenakis | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jacob Brooks | 71 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jessica Aronowitz | 36 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Megan Richards | 15 | Hip |
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.