Dr. Christopher Price, M.D.
Contact & Location
406-721-4436
Missoula, MT 59808
Dr. Price performs more knee replacement procedures than 41% of orthopedic surgeons in Montana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #17 of 29 ranked knee surgeons in Montana.
About Dr. Price
Practice. Dr. Christopher Price is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Missoula, Montana. The latest annual CMS data records 33 knee replacements, 32 shoulder replacements, and 15 hip replacements, 80 procedures in all. That is #17 in Montana for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 49 procedures a year to 80, up 63%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 33 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Missoula has 9 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 26 | 23 |
| 2014 | 0 | 24 | 11 |
| 2015 | 0 | 23 | 21 |
| 2016 | 0 | 32 | 25 |
| 2017 | 0 | 40 | 27 |
| 2018 | 16 | 39 | 26 |
| 2019 | 17 | 39 | 30 |
| 2020 | 0 | 46 | 36 |
| 2021 | 22 | 42 | 36 |
| 2022 | 17 | 50 | 21 |
| 2023 | 21 | 46 | 30 |
| 2024 | 15 | 33 | 32 |
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Price Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Montana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Price's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 63% from 49 procedures in 2013 to 80 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.
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. Price
How does Dr. Price's procedure volume compare to other Montana surgeons?
Dr. Price has performed 80 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Montana average of 81 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Price ranks #17 out of 39 orthopedic surgeons in Montana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Price perform?
Dr. Price performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (33 cases), shoulder replacement (32 cases), hip replacement (15 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
How experienced is Dr. Price with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Price ranks #17 in Montana for knee replacement with 33 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 39 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Price in Missoula?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Missoula 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 Montana surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Price 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Price's total volume across all insurers at roughly 250 to 310 procedures against the 80 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. Price's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Price's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 49 procedures in 2013 to 80 in the most recent data, a 63% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 100 procedures in 2021.
Does Dr. Price perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Price's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (33 cases), shoulder replacement (32 cases), hip replacement (15 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Price among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Price affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Price is affiliated with St Patrick Hospital, Community Medical Center, St Luke Community Hospital, Providence St Joseph Medical Center, Bitterroot Health - Daly Hospital.
How does Dr. Price compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Missoula?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Missoula, Dr. Price ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Missoula has 231 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Price practices?
St Patrick Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Community Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); St Luke Community Hospital (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 Missoula, Montana
Dr. Price's 80 Medicare procedures are below the Missoula average of 121. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Missoula.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Allmacher | 231 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Channer | 181 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Whiting | 167 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gary Willstein | 97 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Larry Stayner | 49 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Justin Jacobson | 44 | 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.