Dr. Robert Knowlan, M.D.
Contact & Location
651-439-8807
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
Dr. Knowlan performs more hip replacement procedures than 87% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #13 of 107 ranked hip surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Knowlan
Practice. Dr. Robert Knowlan is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 49 hip replacements and 41 knee replacements, 90 procedures in all. That is #13 in Minnesota for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 49 procedures a year to 90, up 84%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 49 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Oak Park Heights has 9 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Knowlan also holds hospital privileges in MN and WI, a practice that extends beyond Minnesota.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 21 | 28 |
| 2014 | 17 | 26 |
| 2015 | 32 | 22 |
| 2016 | 22 | 20 |
| 2017 | 25 | 33 |
| 2018 | 38 | 29 |
| 2019 | 46 | 45 |
| 2020 | 45 | 36 |
| 2021 | 45 | 46 |
| 2022 | 54 | 46 |
| 2023 | 49 | 62 |
| 2024 | 49 | 41 |
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. Knowlan Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Knowlan's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 84% from 49 procedures in 2013 to 90 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.
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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Knowlan
How does Dr. Knowlan's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Knowlan has performed 90 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Minnesota average of 43 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Knowlan ranks #18 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Knowlan perform?
Dr. Knowlan's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (49 cases) and knee replacement (41 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Knowlan with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Knowlan ranks #13 in Minnesota for hip replacement with 49 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 187 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Knowlan in Oak Park Heights?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Oak Park Heights 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. Knowlan 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. Knowlan's total volume across all insurers at roughly 290 to 370 procedures against the 90 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. Knowlan's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Knowlan's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 49 procedures in 2013 to 90 in the most recent data, a 84% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 111 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Knowlan perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Knowlan's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (49 cases), knee replacement (41 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Knowlan affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Knowlan is affiliated with M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital, St Croix Regional Medical Center, Lakeview Memorial Hospital. Dr. Knowlan maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Knowlan compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Oak Park Heights?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Oak Park Heights, Dr. Knowlan ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Knowlan has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Knowlan practices?
M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Croix Regional Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Lakeview Memorial Hospital (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 Oak Park Heights, Minnesota
Dr. Knowlan's 90 Medicare procedures are above the Oak Park Heights average of 49. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Oak Park Heights.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Timothy Panek | 75 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Lindgren | 55 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Comfort | 42 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Weiss | 33 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Meisterling | 24 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrea Saterbak | 23 | 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.