Dr. Benjamin Zmistowski, M.D.
Contact & Location
314-514-3500
Saint Louis, MO 63110
Dr. Zmistowski performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 87% of orthopedic surgeons in Missouri, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #7 of 56 ranked shoulder surgeons in Missouri.
About Dr. Zmistowski
Practice. Dr. Benjamin Zmistowski is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Saint Louis, Missouri. The latest annual CMS data records 64 shoulder replacements. That is #7 in Missouri for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2014.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume rose from 14 procedures a year to 64, up 357%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 64 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 29. That is #158 nationally.
Local context. Saint Louis has 57 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Zmistowski also holds hospital privileges in MO and IL, a practice that extends beyond Missouri.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2023 | 67 |
| 2024 | 64 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Zmistowski Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Missouri state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Zmistowski's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 357% from 14 procedures in 2019 to 64 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A 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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Zmistowski
How does Dr. Zmistowski's procedure volume compare to other Missouri surgeons?
Dr. Zmistowski has performed 64 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Missouri average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Zmistowski ranks #70 out of 204 orthopedic surgeons in Missouri.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Zmistowski perform?
Dr. Zmistowski's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 64 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Zmistowski with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Zmistowski ranks #7 in Missouri for shoulder replacement with 64 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 204 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Zmistowski in Saint Louis?
Yes. There are 57 orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis 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. Zmistowski 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Zmistowski's total volume across all insurers at roughly 170 to 220 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. Zmistowski's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Zmistowski's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 14 procedures in 2019 to 64 in the most recent data, a 357% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 67 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Zmistowski affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Zmistowski is affiliated with Barnes Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Progress West Hospital, Sparta Community Hospital, Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Zmistowski maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Zmistowski compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis?
Among the 57 orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis, Dr. Zmistowski ranks #20 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Saint Louis has 279 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Zmistowski practices?
Barnes Jewish Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Progress West Hospital (3 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 Saint Louis, Missouri
Dr. Zmistowski's 64 Medicare procedures are below the Saint Louis average of 151. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Saint Louis.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ryan Nunley | 279 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Palmer | 160 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Hubbard | 144 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Coles L'hommedieu | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ilya Bendich | 137 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Mudd | 132 | 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.