Dr. James Johnston, M.D.
Contact & Location
507-284-2511
Rochester, MN 55905
Dr. Johnston performs more hip replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #8 of 107 ranked hip surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Johnston
Practice. Dr. James Johnston is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Rochester, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 53 hip replacements and 19 knee replacements, 72 procedures in all. That is #8 in Minnesota for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 19 procedures a year to 72, up 279%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 53 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Rochester has 23 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 | 19 | 0 |
| 2014 | 16 | 24 |
| 2015 | 18 | 44 |
| 2016 | 20 | 34 |
| 2017 | 15 | 0 |
| 2018 | 51 | 0 |
| 2019 | 40 | 11 |
| 2020 | 34 | 0 |
| 2021 | 35 | 21 |
| 2022 | 48 | 19 |
| 2023 | 64 | 19 |
| 2024 | 53 | 19 |
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. Johnston Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Johnston's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 279% from 19 procedures in 2013 to 72 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 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Johnston
How does Dr. Johnston's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Johnston has performed 72 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Minnesota average of 43 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Johnston ranks #31 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Johnston perform?
Dr. Johnston's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (53 cases) and knee replacement (19 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Johnston with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Johnston ranks #8 in Minnesota for hip replacement with 53 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 187 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Johnston in Rochester?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in Rochester 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. Johnston 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. Johnston's total volume across all insurers at roughly 230 to 290 procedures against the 72 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. Johnston's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Johnston's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 19 procedures in 2013 to 72 in the most recent data, a 279% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 83 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Johnston perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Johnston's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (53 cases), knee replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Johnston affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Johnston is affiliated with Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Dr. Johnston maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Johnston compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Rochester?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in Rochester, Dr. Johnston ranks #12 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Rochester has 169 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Johnston practices?
Greater Baltimore 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 Rochester, Minnesota
Dr. Johnston's 72 Medicare procedures are below the Rochester average of 126. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Rochester.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Trousdale | 169 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sean Ryan | 153 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Taunton | 134 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Perry | 120 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Sperling | 117 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Tetreault | 116 | 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.