Dr. Samuel Carlson, M.D.
Contact & Location
952-456-7000
Edina, MN 55435
Dr. Carlson performs more hip replacement procedures than 28% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #76 of 107 ranked hip surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Carlson
Practice. Dr. Samuel Carlson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Edina, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 16 hip replacements and 13 knee replacements, 29 procedures in all. That is #76 in Minnesota for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2017.
Trend. Dr. Carlson first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 16 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Edina has 22 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 29 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Carlson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
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.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Carlson
How does Dr. Carlson's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Carlson has performed 29 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Minnesota average is 43 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Carlson ranks #105 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Carlson perform?
Dr. Carlson's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (16 cases) and knee replacement (13 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Carlson in Edina?
Yes. There are 22 orthopedic surgeons in Edina 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. Carlson 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. Carlson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 120 procedures against the 29 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.
Does Dr. Carlson perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Carlson's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (16 cases), knee replacement (13 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Carlson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Carlson is affiliated with M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital, Ridgeview Medical Center, M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital.
How does Dr. Carlson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Edina?
Among the 22 orthopedic surgeons in Edina, Dr. Carlson ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Edina has 145 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Carlson practices?
M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Ridgeview Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital (4 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 Edina, Minnesota
Dr. Carlson's 29 Medicare procedures are below the Edina average of 76. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Edina.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Mark Heller | 145 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Scott Anseth | 116 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bishoy Gad | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Tuttle | 67 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Allan Hunt | 61 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Loren Vorlicky | 38 | 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.