Dr. Gabriel Rulewicz, M.D.
Contact & Location
662-377-2663
Tupelo, MS 38801
Winfield, AL 35594
Dr. Rulewicz performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 12% of orthopedic surgeons in Mississippi, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #22 of 25 ranked shoulder surgeons in Mississippi.
About Dr. Rulewicz
Practice. Dr. Gabriel Rulewicz is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Tupelo, Mississippi. The latest annual CMS data records 14 shoulder replacements. That is #22 in Mississippi for shoulder replacement. Dr. Rulewicz also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 7 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 14, up 17%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 14 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Tupelo has 9 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Rulewicz also holds hospital privileges in MS and AL, a practice that extends beyond Mississippi.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 14 |
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. Rulewicz Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Mississippi state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Rulewicz's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 17% from 12 procedures in 2017 to 14 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. Rulewicz
How does Dr. Rulewicz's procedure volume compare to other Mississippi surgeons?
Dr. Rulewicz has performed 14 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. Rulewicz ranks #70 out of 78 orthopedic surgeons in Mississippi.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Rulewicz perform?
Dr. Rulewicz's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 14 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Rulewicz in Tupelo?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Tupelo 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. Rulewicz 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. Rulewicz's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 14 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. Rulewicz's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Rulewicz's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2017 to 14 in the most recent data, a 17% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 17 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Rulewicz affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Rulewicz is affiliated with North Mississippi Medical Center, Tishomingo Health Services Inc, North Mississippi Medical Center - Hamilton. Dr. Rulewicz maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Rulewicz compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Tupelo?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Tupelo, Dr. Rulewicz ranks #9 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Tupelo has 322 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Rulewicz practices?
North Mississippi Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Tishomingo Health Services Inc (5 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Tupelo, Mississippi
Dr. Rulewicz's 14 Medicare procedures are below the Tupelo average of 115. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Tupelo.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Rowland Roberson | 322 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Miller | 206 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeb Williams | 120 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jacob Smithey | 63 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Rainey | 44 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Taylor Mathis | 35 | Shoulder |
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.