Dr. Briggs Ahearn, M.D.
Contact & Location
704-323-3300
Pineville, NC 28134
Dr. Ahearn performs more hip replacement procedures than 62% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #65 of 172 ranked hip surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Ahearn
Practice. Dr. Briggs Ahearn is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pineville, North Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 32 hip replacements and 24 knee replacements, 56 procedures in all. That is #65 in North Carolina for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2014.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2021 to 2024, 4 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 56, up 331%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 32 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Pineville has 2 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 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 0 |
| 2023 | 22 | 23 |
| 2024 | 32 | 24 |
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. Ahearn Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ahearn's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 4 years, increasing 331% from 13 procedures in 2021 to 56 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.
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
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. Ahearn
How does Dr. Ahearn's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Ahearn has performed 56 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the North Carolina average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Ahearn ranks #108 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ahearn perform?
Dr. Ahearn's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (32 cases) and knee replacement (24 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ahearn in Pineville?
Yes. There are 2 orthopedic surgeons in Pineville 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. Ahearn 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. Ahearn's total volume across all insurers at roughly 180 to 230 procedures against the 56 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. Ahearn's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Ahearn's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2021 to 56 in the most recent data, a 331% increase over 4 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 56 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Ahearn perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Ahearn's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (32 cases), knee replacement (24 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Ahearn affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ahearn is affiliated with Atrium Health Pineville, Novant Health Matthews Medical Center.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ahearn practices?
Atrium Health Pineville (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Novant Health Matthews Medical Center (4 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 Pineville, North Carolina
Dr. Ahearn's 56 Medicare procedures are below the Pineville average of 68. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Pineville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Scott Burbank | 80 | Knee, 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.