Shoulder
Dr. Christopher McDowell, D.O.
Dr. Christopher McDowell is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Greenville, North Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2015, Dr. McDowell has performed 16 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #48 in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, Dr. McDowell performs below average in shoulder (16 vs 26 avg).
Dr. McDowell's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 16 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.
Greenville is home to 10 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Greenville area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. McDowell first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2023. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. McDowell's 16 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 28 among 2,092 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
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. McDowell Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Contact & Location
Greenville, NC 27834
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. McDowell
How does Dr. McDowell's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. McDowell has performed 16 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The North Carolina average is 63 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. McDowell ranks #257 out of 294 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. McDowell perform?
Dr. McDowell's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 16 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. McDowell in Greenville?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Greenville 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. McDowell 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. McDowell's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 16 procedures shown here.
Which hospitals is Dr. McDowell affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. McDowell is affiliated with Ecu Health Medical Center, Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital, Unc Lenoir Health Care.
How does Dr. McDowell compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Greenville?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Greenville, Dr. McDowell ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Greenville has 122 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. McDowell practices?
Ecu Health Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Unc Lenoir Health Care (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 Greenville, North Carolina
Dr. McDowell's 16 Medicare procedures are below the Greenville average of 54. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Greenville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Hasty | 122 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Anthony Skalak | 78 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Philip Perdue | 64 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Josiah Duke | 33 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael McGraw | 33 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Garrett | 30 | Hip, Knee |
Patient Reviews & Ratings
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