Dr. Christopher McDowell, D.O.
Contact & Location
252-757-2663
Greenville, NC 27834
About Dr. McDowell
Dr. Christopher McDowell is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Greenville, North Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2015, Dr. McDowell performed 21 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements (#40 in North Carolina) and 15 knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 36 procedures.
In North Carolina, Dr. McDowell performs near the state average in shoulder (21 vs 26), below the state average in knee (15 vs 44).
Dr. McDowell's reported Medicare volume is split between shoulder replacements (21 cases) and knee replacements (15 cases).
Greenville is home to 7 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 2 years of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. McDowell's 21 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,213 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 16 procedures in 2023 and 36 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in North Carolina
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. McDowell has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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 36 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. McDowell ranks #174 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. McDowell perform?
Dr. McDowell's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (21 cases) and knee replacement (15 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. McDowell in Greenville?
Yes. There are 7 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 36 procedures shown here.
Does Dr. McDowell perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. McDowell's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (21 cases), knee replacement (15 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
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 7 orthopedic surgeons in Greenville, Dr. McDowell ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Greenville has 137 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 36 Medicare procedures are below the Greenville average of 50. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Greenville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Hasty | 137 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Anthony Skalak | 52 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Philip Perdue | 40 | Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Garrett | 34 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Josiah Duke | 31 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Shawn Yeazell | 22 | 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.