Dr. Joshua Rother, M.D.
Contact & Location
218-722-1321
Duluth, MN 55805
Dr. Rother performs more knee replacement procedures than 43% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #82 of 144 ranked knee surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Rother
Practice. Dr. Joshua Rother is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Duluth, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 22 knee replacements and 16 hip replacements, 38 procedures in all. That is #82 in Minnesota for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 11 years. Volume has held between 12 and 46 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 22 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 14 | 22 |
| 2014 | 12 | 13 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 12 |
| 2017 | 0 | 20 |
| 2018 | 13 | 17 |
| 2019 | 16 | 30 |
| 2020 | 12 | 16 |
| 2021 | 20 | 19 |
| 2022 | 16 | 29 |
| 2023 | 15 | 27 |
| 2024 | 16 | 22 |
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. Rother Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Rother's procedure volume has been consistent across 11 years of Medicare data, ranging from 12 to 46 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA 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.
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. Rother
How does Dr. Rother's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Rother has performed 38 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Minnesota average of 43 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Rother ranks #82 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Rother perform?
Dr. Rother's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (22 cases) and hip replacement (16 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Rother 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. Rother 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. Rother's total volume across all insurers at roughly 130 to 160 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. Rother's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Rother's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 11 years of Medicare data, ranging from 12 to 46 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Rother perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Rother's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (22 cases), hip replacement (16 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Rother affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Rother is affiliated with Grand Itasca Clinic And Hospital, Aspirus St Lukes Hospital, North Shore Health, Range Regional Health Services, Essentia Health Virginia.
How does Dr. Rother compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Duluth?
Among the 12 orthopedic surgeons in Duluth, Dr. Rother ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Rother is among the highest-volume surgeons in Duluth.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Rother practices?
Grand Itasca Clinic And Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Aspirus St Lukes Hospital (3 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 Duluth, Minnesota
Dr. Rother'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. David Rust | 38 | Knee, Shoulder |
| 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.