Dr. George Azar, MD
Contact & Location
828-894-3718
Columbus, NC 28722
Dr. Azar performs more knee replacement procedures than 39% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #137 of 228 ranked knee surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Azar
Dr. George Azar is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Columbus, North Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2007, Dr. Azar performed 25 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#137 in North Carolina) and 22 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 47 procedures.
In North Carolina, Dr. Azar performs below the state average in knee (25 vs 44), below the state average in hip (22 vs 33).
Dr. Azar's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (25 cases) and hip replacements (22 cases).
Columbus is home to 2 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Columbus area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Azar extend back to 2016, covering 7 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 12 to 47 in the most recent data, a 292% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Azar's 25 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 12 |
| 2017 | 0 | 17 |
| 2018 | 0 | 16 |
| 2019 | 0 | 27 |
| 2020 | 0 | 17 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 21 |
| 2024 | 22 | 25 |
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, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Azar Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Azar's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 292% from 12 procedures in 2016 to 47 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Azar
How does Dr. Azar's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Azar has performed 47 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. Azar ranks #133 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Azar perform?
Dr. Azar's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (25 cases) and hip replacement (22 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Azar in Columbus?
Yes. There are 2 orthopedic surgeons in Columbus 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. Azar 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Azar's total volume across all insurers at roughly 160 to 200 procedures against the 47 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. Azar's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Azar's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2016 to 47 in the most recent data, a 292% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 47 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Azar perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Azar's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (25 cases), hip replacement (22 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Azar affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Azar is affiliated with Advent Health Polk, Adventhealth Hendersonville, Atrium Health Cleveland.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Azar practices?
Advent Health Polk (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Adventhealth Hendersonville (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Atrium Health Cleveland (2 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 Columbus, North Carolina
Dr. Azar's 47 Medicare procedures are above the Columbus average of 32. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Columbus.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Thomas Cadier | 17 | 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.