Dr. Richard Johnston, M.D.
Contact & Location
314-514-3500
Saint Louis, MO 63131
Dr. Johnston performs more knee replacement procedures than 83% of orthopedic surgeons in Missouri, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #27 of 166 ranked knee surgeons in Missouri.
About Dr. Johnston
Practice. Dr. Richard Johnston is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Saint Louis, Missouri. The latest annual CMS data records 71 knee replacements. That is #27 in Missouri for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 120 in 2022 and stands at 71 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 71 procedures is above the national average of 45.
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.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 41 | 68 |
| 2014 | 33 | 72 |
| 2015 | 30 | 64 |
| 2016 | 32 | 59 |
| 2017 | 36 | 55 |
| 2018 | 32 | 67 |
| 2019 | 46 | 67 |
| 2020 | 31 | 58 |
| 2021 | 42 | 64 |
| 2022 | 30 | 90 |
| 2023 | 0 | 79 |
| 2024 | 0 | 71 |
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. Johnston Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Missouri state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Johnston's recorded volume peaked at 120 procedures in 2022 and stood at 71 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.
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.
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. Johnston
How does Dr. Johnston's procedure volume compare to other Missouri surgeons?
Dr. Johnston has performed 71 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Missouri average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Johnston ranks #58 out of 204 orthopedic surgeons in Missouri.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Johnston perform?
Dr. Johnston's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 71 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Johnston 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. Johnston 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. Johnston's total volume across all insurers at roughly 250 to 310 procedures against the 71 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. Johnston's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Johnston's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 120 procedures in 2022 and was 71 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. Johnston affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Johnston is affiliated with Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Barnes Jewish Hospital, St Lukes Hospital, Parkland Health Center.
How does Dr. Johnston compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis?
Among the 57 orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis, Dr. Johnston ranks #16 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. Johnston practices?
Missouri Baptist Medical Center (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); Barnes Jewish Hospital (4 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. Johnston's 71 Medicare procedures are below the Saint Louis average of 152. 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.