Dr. David Rust, M.D.
Contact & Location
218-249-6360
Duluth, MN 55805
Dr. Rust performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #11 of 42 ranked shoulder surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Rust
Practice. Dr. David Rust is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Duluth, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 27 shoulder replacements and 11 knee replacements, 38 procedures in all. That is #11 in Minnesota for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 23 procedures a year to 38, up 65%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 27 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Duluth has 12 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 11 |
| 2017 | 14 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 13 |
| 2022 | 0 | 26 |
| 2023 | 0 | 28 |
| 2024 | 11 | 27 |
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, 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. Rust Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Rust's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 65% from 23 procedures in 2016 to 38 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
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. Rust
How does Dr. Rust's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Rust has performed 38 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Minnesota average of 43 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Rust ranks #84 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Rust perform?
Dr. Rust's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (27 cases) and knee replacement (11 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Rust with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Rust ranks #11 in Minnesota for shoulder replacement with 27 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 187 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Rust in Duluth?
Yes. There are 12 orthopedic surgeons in Duluth 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 Minnesota surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Rust 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, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Rust's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 38 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. Rust's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Rust's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 23 procedures in 2016 to 38 in the most recent data, a 65% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 38 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Rust perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Rust's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (27 cases), knee replacement (11 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Rust affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Rust is affiliated with Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center, Peacehealth Peace Island Medical Center, Peacehealth United General Medical Center. Dr. Rust maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Rust compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Duluth?
Among the 12 orthopedic surgeons in Duluth, Dr. Rust ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Rust is among the highest-volume surgeons in Duluth.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Rust practices?
Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Peacehealth United General Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Duluth, Minnesota
Dr. Rust's 38 Medicare procedures are above the Duluth average of 33. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Duluth.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Momont | 44 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joshua Rother | 38 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Fogarty | 35 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Gibbons | 28 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Samuel Harms | 25 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bradley Kuzel | 20 | 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.