Dr. Christopher Chuinard, M.D.
Contact & Location
231-935-0900
Traverse City, MI 49684
Dr. Chuinard performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 77% of orthopedic surgeons in Michigan, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #13 of 58 ranked shoulder surgeons in Michigan.
About Dr. Chuinard
Practice. Dr. Christopher Chuinard is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Traverse City, Michigan. The latest annual CMS data records 39 shoulder replacements. That is #13 in Michigan for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 84 in 2013 and stands at 39 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 39 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Traverse City has 13 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 84 |
| 2014 | 49 |
| 2015 | 61 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2017 | 46 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 54 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2024 | 39 |
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 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. Chuinard Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Michigan state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Chuinard's recorded volume peaked at 84 procedures in 2013 and stood at 39 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 39 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Michigan average is 49 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Chuinard ranks #132 out of 256 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 39 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 39 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 256 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 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Chuinard's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 130 procedures against the 39 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. Chuinard's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Chuinard's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 84 procedures in 2013 and was 39 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, Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital.
How does Dr. Chuinard compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Traverse City?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Traverse City, Dr. Chuinard ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Traverse City has 107 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 39 Medicare procedures are below the Traverse City average of 65. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Traverse City.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Todd Galdes | 107 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Austin | 71 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brent Wiersema | 67 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Lerche | 64 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Peters | 58 | Knee |
| Dr. Justin Hollander | 49 | Hip, Knee |
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.