Dr. Michael Taunton, M.D.
Contact & Location
507-284-2511
Rochester, MN 55905
Dr. Taunton performs more hip replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #2 of 107 ranked hip surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Taunton
Practice. Dr. Michael Taunton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Rochester, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 79 hip replacements and 55 knee replacements, 134 procedures in all. That is #2 in Minnesota for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 105 and 155 procedures a year.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 79 procedures is more than 2x 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. Dr. Taunton also holds hospital privileges in MN and IA, a practice that extends beyond Minnesota.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 78 | 49 |
| 2014 | 72 | 46 |
| 2015 | 66 | 45 |
| 2016 | 56 | 49 |
| 2017 | 60 | 58 |
| 2018 | 84 | 43 |
| 2019 | 86 | 69 |
| 2020 | 93 | 50 |
| 2021 | 88 | 55 |
| 2022 | 76 | 61 |
| 2023 | 87 | 59 |
| 2024 | 79 | 55 |
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. Taunton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Taunton's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 105 to 155 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 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Taunton
How does Dr. Taunton's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Taunton has performed 134 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Minnesota average of 43 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Taunton ranks #5 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Taunton perform?
Dr. Taunton's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (79 cases) and knee replacement (55 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Taunton with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Taunton ranks #2 in Minnesota for hip replacement with 79 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 187 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Taunton 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. Taunton 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. Taunton's total volume across all insurers at roughly 440 to 560 procedures against the 134 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. Taunton's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Taunton's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 105 to 155 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Taunton perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Taunton's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (79 cases), knee replacement (55 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Taunton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Taunton is affiliated with Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Floyd County Medical Center. Dr. Taunton maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Taunton compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Rochester?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in Rochester, Dr. Taunton ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Taunton is among the highest-volume surgeons in Rochester.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Taunton practices?
Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Floyd County Medical Center (3 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 Rochester, Minnesota
Dr. Taunton's 134 Medicare procedures are above the Rochester average of 131. 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. Kevin Perry | 120 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Sperling | 117 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Tetreault | 116 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Timothy Brown | 111 | 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.