Dr. Thomas Royals
Contact & Location
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Dr. Thomas Royals is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. A Medicare provider since 2013, Dr. Royals has performed 15 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #18 in Mississippi.
In Mississippi, Dr. Royals performs below average in shoulder (15 vs 23 avg).
Dr. Royals's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 15 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Hattiesburg is home to 11 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Hattiesburg area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Royals's Medicare record spans 3 years from 2022 through 2024. Procedure volume has remained consistent during that period, ranging from 13 to 15 procedures per year, reflecting a steady joint replacement practice.
Dr. Royals's 15 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,213 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Royals Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Mississippi state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Royals's procedure volume has been consistent across 3 years of Medicare data, ranging from 13 to 15 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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.
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.
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. Royals
How does Dr. Royals's procedure volume compare to other Mississippi surgeons?
Dr. Royals has performed 15 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. Royals ranks #66 out of 78 orthopedic surgeons in Mississippi.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Royals perform?
Dr. Royals's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 15 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Royals with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Royals ranks #18 in Mississippi for shoulder replacement with 15 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 78 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Royals in Hattiesburg?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Hattiesburg 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. Royals represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Royals's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 15 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Royals's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Royals's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 3 years of Medicare data, ranging from 13 to 15 procedures per year between 2022 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Royals affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Royals is affiliated with Forrest General Hospital.
How does Dr. Royals compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Hattiesburg?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Hattiesburg, Dr. Royals ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Hattiesburg has 173 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Royals practices?
Forrest General Hospital (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 Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Dr. Royals's 15 Medicare procedures are below the Hattiesburg average of 78. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Hattiesburg.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. James Sikes | 173 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Donald Ward | 144 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Frederick Gregg | 77 | Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Valentine | 60 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Humpherys | 44 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Raymond Whitehead | 32 | 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.