Dr. James Edwards, M.D.
Contact & Location
573-335-8257
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Dr. Edwards performs more knee replacement procedures than 36% of orthopedic surgeons in Missouri, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #106 of 166 ranked knee surgeons in Missouri.
About Dr. Edwards
Practice. Dr. James Edwards is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The latest annual CMS data records 23 knee replacements. That is #106 in Missouri for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 47 in 2016 and stands at 23 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 23 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Cape Girardeau has 5 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 | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2014 | 32 |
| 2015 | 32 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 35 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 23 |
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. 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. Edwards Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Missouri state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Edwards's recorded volume peaked at 47 procedures in 2016 and stood at 23 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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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. Edwards
How does Dr. Edwards's procedure volume compare to other Missouri surgeons?
Dr. Edwards has performed 23 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Missouri average is 59 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Edwards ranks #149 out of 204 orthopedic surgeons in Missouri.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Edwards perform?
Dr. Edwards's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 23 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Edwards in Cape Girardeau?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Cape Girardeau 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. Edwards 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, which puts Dr. Edwards's total volume across all insurers at roughly 80 to 100 procedures against the 23 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. Edwards's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Edwards's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 47 procedures in 2016 and was 23 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Edwards affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Edwards is affiliated with Lake Regional Health System.
How does Dr. Edwards compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Cape Girardeau?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Cape Girardeau, Dr. Edwards ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Cape Girardeau has 105 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Edwards practices?
Lake Regional Health System (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 Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Dr. Edwards's 23 Medicare procedures are below the Cape Girardeau average of 68. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Cape Girardeau.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Charity Jacobs | 105 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Raymond Ritter | 81 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Knight | 72 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Schafer | 60 | 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.