Dr. Christopher Klifto, M.D.
Contact & Location
919-471-9662
Durham, NC 27707
New York, NY 10016
Dr. Klifto performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #1 of 81 ranked shoulder surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Klifto
Practice. Dr. Christopher Klifto is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Durham, North Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 98 shoulder replacements. That is #1 in North Carolina for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume rose from 25 procedures a year to 98, up 292%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 98 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 29. That is #40 nationally.
Local context. Durham has 15 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Klifto also holds hospital privileges in NC and VA, a practice that extends beyond North Carolina.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 49 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 98 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Klifto Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Klifto's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 292% from 25 procedures in 2019 to 98 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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 Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Klifto
How does Dr. Klifto's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Klifto has performed 98 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the North Carolina average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Klifto ranks #50 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Klifto perform?
Dr. Klifto's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 98 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Klifto with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Klifto ranks #1 in North Carolina for shoulder replacement with 98 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 293 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Klifto in Durham?
Yes. There are 15 orthopedic surgeons in Durham 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. Klifto 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Klifto's total volume across all insurers at roughly 260 to 340 procedures against the 98 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. Klifto's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Klifto's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 25 procedures in 2019 to 98 in the most recent data, a 292% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 98 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Klifto affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Klifto is affiliated with Duke Regional Hospital, Duke University Hospital, Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital. Dr. Klifto maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Klifto compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Durham?
Among the 15 orthopedic surgeons in Durham, Dr. Klifto ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Durham has 182 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Klifto practices?
Duke Regional Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Duke University Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 Durham, North Carolina
Dr. Klifto's 98 Medicare procedures are below the Durham average of 117. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Durham.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Bolognesi | 182 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Brekke | 142 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Samuel Wellman | 141 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Rutherford | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Merz | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Ransone | 62 | 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.