Dr. Donald Baker, M.D.
Contact & Location
601-376-2818
Jackson, MS 39204
Dr. Baker performs more knee replacement procedures than 20% of orthopedic surgeons in Mississippi, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #46 of 58 ranked knee surgeons in Mississippi.
About Dr. Baker
Practice. Dr. Donald Baker is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Jackson, Mississippi. The latest annual CMS data records 18 knee replacements. That is #46 in Mississippi for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 18, up 64%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 18 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Jackson has 16 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Baker also holds hospital privileges in MS and AL, a practice that extends beyond Mississippi.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 11 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 23 |
| 2018 | 0 | 21 |
| 2019 | 0 | 24 |
| 2020 | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 | 0 | 18 |
| 2022 | 11 | 19 |
| 2023 | 0 | 17 |
| 2024 | 0 | 18 |
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. Baker Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Mississippi state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Baker's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 64% from 11 procedures in 2014 to 18 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.
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.
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. Baker
How does Dr. Baker's procedure volume compare to other Mississippi surgeons?
Dr. Baker has performed 18 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Mississippi average is 69 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Baker ranks #58 out of 78 orthopedic surgeons in Mississippi.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Baker perform?
Dr. Baker's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 18 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Baker in Jackson?
Yes. There are 16 orthopedic surgeons in Jackson 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 Mississippi surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Baker 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. Baker's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 80 procedures against the 18 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. Baker's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Baker's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2014 to 18 in the most recent data, a 64% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 30 procedures in 2022.
Which hospitals is Dr. Baker affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Baker is affiliated with Merit Health River Oaks, Magee General Hospital, Merit Health Central, Merit Health Rankin, Walker Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Baker maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Baker compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Jackson?
Among the 16 orthopedic surgeons in Jackson, Dr. Baker ranks #12 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Jackson has 407 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Baker practices?
Merit Health River Oaks (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Magee General Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars); Merit Health Central (1 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 Jackson, Mississippi
Dr. Baker's 18 Medicare procedures are below the Jackson average of 196. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Jackson.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Mehrle | 407 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Trevor Pickering | 258 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeff Almand | 187 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Johnson | 185 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Young | 184 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jacob Folse | 135 | 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.