Dr. Brian Pienkos, MD
Contact & Location
828-287-9260
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Dr. Pienkos performs more knee replacement procedures than 35% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #146 of 228 ranked knee surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Pienkos
Dr. Brian Pienkos is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2007, Dr. Pienkos performed 23 Medicare-verified knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #146 in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, Dr. Pienkos performs below the state average in knee (23 vs 44).
Dr. Pienkos's Medicare data shows a focused knee replacement practice with 23 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.
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Pienkos holds additional credentials in General Practice, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Rutherfordton is home to 3 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Rutherfordton area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Pienkos extend back to 2022, covering 3 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 13 to 23 in the most recent data, a 77% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Pienkos's 23 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 23 |
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. Pienkos Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Pienkos's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 77% from 13 procedures in 2022 to 23 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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Pienkos
How does Dr. Pienkos's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Pienkos has performed 23 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The North Carolina average is 61 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Pienkos ranks #212 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Pienkos perform?
Dr. Pienkos's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 23 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Pienkos in Rutherfordton?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Rutherfordton 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 North Carolina surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Pienkos 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. Pienkos's total volume across all insurers at roughly 80 to 100 procedures against the 23 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. Pienkos's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Pienkos's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2022 to 23 in the most recent data, a 77% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 23 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Pienkos affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Pienkos is affiliated with Rutherford Regional Medical Center.
How does Dr. Pienkos compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Rutherfordton?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Rutherfordton, Dr. Pienkos ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Pienkos is among the highest-volume surgeons in Rutherfordton.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Pienkos practices?
Rutherford Regional Medical Center (3 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 Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Dr. Pienkos's 23 Medicare procedures are below the Rutherfordton average of 55. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Rutherfordton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Charles Bond | 76 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Roberts | 65 | 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.