Dr. Joel Tucker, M.D.
Contact & Location
228-392-9355
Biloxi, MS 39532
Dr. Tucker performs more hip replacement procedures than 60% of orthopedic surgeons in Mississippi, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #15 of 38 ranked hip surgeons in Mississippi.
About Dr. Tucker
Practice. Dr. Joel Tucker is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Biloxi, Mississippi. The latest annual CMS data records 36 hip replacements and 26 knee replacements, 62 procedures in all. That is #15 in Mississippi for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 17 procedures a year to 62, up 265%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 36 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Biloxi 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 17 |
| 2014 | 13 | 24 |
| 2015 | 0 | 19 |
| 2016 | 17 | 26 |
| 2017 | 26 | 24 |
| 2018 | 33 | 39 |
| 2019 | 36 | 39 |
| 2020 | 32 | 38 |
| 2021 | 46 | 20 |
| 2022 | 36 | 31 |
| 2023 | 32 | 37 |
| 2024 | 36 | 26 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Tucker Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Mississippi state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Tucker's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 265% from 17 procedures in 2013 to 62 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
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.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Tucker
How does Dr. Tucker's procedure volume compare to other Mississippi surgeons?
Dr. Tucker has performed 62 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Mississippi average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Tucker ranks #29 out of 78 orthopedic surgeons in Mississippi.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Tucker perform?
Dr. Tucker's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (36 cases) and knee replacement (26 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Tucker with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Tucker ranks #15 in Mississippi for hip replacement with 36 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 78 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Tucker in Biloxi?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Biloxi 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. Tucker 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Tucker's total volume across all insurers at roughly 200 to 260 procedures against the 62 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. Tucker's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Tucker's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 17 procedures in 2013 to 62 in the most recent data, a 265% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 75 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Tucker perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Tucker's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (36 cases), knee replacement (26 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Tucker affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Tucker is affiliated with Memorial Hospital At Gulfport, Singing River Gulfport, Singing River Health System, Memorial Hospital Biloxi.
How does Dr. Tucker compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Biloxi?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Biloxi, Dr. Tucker ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Tucker is among the highest-volume surgeons in Biloxi.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Tucker practices?
Memorial Hospital At Gulfport (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Singing River Gulfport (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Singing River Health System (2 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 Biloxi, Mississippi
Dr. Tucker's 62 Medicare procedures are above the Biloxi average of 50. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Biloxi.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Dudley Burwell | 69 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Noblin | 51 | Knee |
| Dr. George Salloum | 46 | Knee |
| Dr. Yekaterina Karpitskaya | 20 | 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.