Dr. Ajay Aggarwal, M.D.
Contact & Location
573-882-2663
Columbia, MO 65212
Dr. Aggarwal performs more knee replacement procedures than 61% of orthopedic surgeons in Missouri, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #64 of 166 ranked knee surgeons in Missouri.
About Dr. Aggarwal
Practice. Dr. Ajay Aggarwal is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Columbia, Missouri. The latest annual CMS data records 38 knee replacements and 26 hip replacements, 64 procedures in all. That is #64 in Missouri for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 135 in 2019 and stands at 64 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 38 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Columbia has 18 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 | 27 | 60 |
| 2014 | 42 | 76 |
| 2015 | 41 | 54 |
| 2016 | 52 | 55 |
| 2017 | 51 | 69 |
| 2018 | 71 | 60 |
| 2019 | 52 | 83 |
| 2020 | 43 | 52 |
| 2021 | 35 | 56 |
| 2022 | 50 | 40 |
| 2023 | 45 | 45 |
| 2024 | 26 | 38 |
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. Aggarwal Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Missouri state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Aggarwal's recorded volume peaked at 135 procedures in 2019 and stood at 64 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Aggarwal
How does Dr. Aggarwal's procedure volume compare to other Missouri surgeons?
Dr. Aggarwal has performed 64 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Missouri average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Aggarwal ranks #68 out of 204 orthopedic surgeons in Missouri.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Aggarwal perform?
Dr. Aggarwal's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (38 cases) and hip replacement (26 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Aggarwal in Columbia?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Columbia 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 Missouri surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Aggarwal 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. Aggarwal's total volume across all insurers at roughly 210 to 270 procedures against the 64 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. Aggarwal's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Aggarwal's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 135 procedures in 2019 and was 64 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Aggarwal perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Aggarwal's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (38 cases), hip replacement (26 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Aggarwal affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Aggarwal is affiliated with University Of Missouri Health Care, Lake Regional Health System, Bothwell Regional Health Center, Boone Hospital Center.
How does Dr. Aggarwal compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Columbia?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Columbia, Dr. Aggarwal ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Columbia has 209 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Aggarwal practices?
University Of Missouri Health Care (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Lake Regional Health System (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Bothwell Regional Health 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 Columbia, Missouri
Dr. Aggarwal's 64 Medicare procedures are below the Columbia average of 127. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Columbia.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Samuel Thompson | 209 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Alexander Wendling | 140 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Alan Anz | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kurt Bormann | 137 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Thomas Aleto | 125 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Keeney | 77 | 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.