Shoulder
Dr. Christopher Chuinard, M.D.
Dr. Christopher Chuinard is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Traverse City, Michigan. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Chuinard has performed 36 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #13 in Michigan.
In Michigan, Dr. Chuinard performs above average in shoulder (36 vs 27 avg).
Dr. Chuinard's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 36 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Traverse City is home to 13 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Traverse City area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Chuinard's Medicare data spans 11 years, beginning in 2013. Volume peaked at 84 procedures in 2013 before settling at 36 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Among 2,092 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Chuinard's 36 verified procedures is above the national average of 28.
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. Chuinard Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Michigan state average.
Contact & Location
Traverse City, MI 49684
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Chuinard's recorded volume peaked at 84 procedures in 2013 and stood at 36 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Chuinard
How does Dr. Chuinard's procedure volume compare to other Michigan surgeons?
Dr. Chuinard has performed 36 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Michigan average is 48 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Chuinard ranks #141 out of 272 orthopedic surgeons in Michigan.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Chuinard perform?
Dr. Chuinard's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 36 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Chuinard with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Chuinard ranks #13 in Michigan for shoulder replacement with 36 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 272 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Chuinard in Traverse City?
Yes. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons in Traverse City 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 Michigan surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Chuinard 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. Chuinard's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 36 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Chuinard's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Chuinard's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 84 procedures in 2013 and was 36 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Chuinard affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Chuinard is affiliated with Munson Medical Center, Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital, Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital.
How does Dr. Chuinard compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Traverse City?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Traverse City, Dr. Chuinard ranks #9 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Traverse City has 130 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Chuinard practices?
Munson Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial 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 Traverse City, Michigan
Dr. Chuinard's 36 Medicare procedures are below the Traverse City average of 70. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Traverse City.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Todd Galdes | 130 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph McGraw | 92 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Justin Hollander | 65 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Lerche | 64 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Austin | 52 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brent Wiersema | 49 | Hip, Knee |
Patient Reviews & Ratings
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