Dr. Thomas Comfort, M.D.
Contact & Location
651-439-8807
Wyoming, MN 55092
Dr. Comfort performs more knee replacement procedures than 50% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #71 of 144 ranked knee surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Comfort
Practice. Dr. Thomas Comfort is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 25 knee replacements and 17 hip replacements, 42 procedures in all. That is #71 in Minnesota for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 36 procedures a year to 42, up 17%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 25 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 20 |
| 2014 | 0 | 18 |
| 2015 | 13 | 27 |
| 2016 | 11 | 27 |
| 2017 | 13 | 19 |
| 2018 | 14 | 11 |
| 2019 | 27 | 19 |
| 2020 | 13 | 20 |
| 2021 | 14 | 23 |
| 2022 | 15 | 28 |
| 2023 | 12 | 22 |
| 2024 | 17 | 25 |
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. Comfort Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Comfort's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 17% from 36 procedures in 2013 to 42 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 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.
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
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. Comfort
How does Dr. Comfort's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Comfort has performed 42 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Minnesota average of 43 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Comfort ranks #76 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Comfort perform?
Dr. Comfort's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (25 cases) and hip replacement (17 cases).
Where is Dr. Comfort's practice located?
Dr. Comfort's current practice address is in Wyoming, MN. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Comfort's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Oak Park Heights, Minnesota.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Comfort 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. Comfort's total volume across all insurers at roughly 140 to 180 procedures against the 42 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. Comfort's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Comfort's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 36 procedures in 2013 to 42 in the most recent data, a 17% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 46 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Comfort perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Comfort's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (25 cases), hip replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Comfort affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Comfort is affiliated with M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center, M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital, Welia Health, M Health Fairview St John'S Hospital.
How does Dr. Comfort compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Oak Park Heights?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Oak Park Heights, Dr. Comfort ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Oak Park Heights has 90 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Comfort practices?
M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Welia Health (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. Comfort's 42 Medicare procedures are below 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. Robert Knowlan | 90 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Timothy Panek | 75 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Lindgren | 55 | 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.