Dr. John Spellman, MD
Contact & Location
252-808-4250
Morehead City, NC 28557
About Dr. Spellman
Dr. John Spellman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Morehead City, North Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2008, Dr. Spellman completed 19 knee replacements (#171 in North Carolina), 12 shoulder replacements, and 11 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, totaling 42 Medicare-verified procedures.
In North Carolina, Dr. Spellman performs below the state average in knee (19 vs 44), below the state average in shoulder (12 vs 26), below the state average in hip (11 vs 33).
Dr. Spellman performs all three major joint replacement procedures — hip, knee, and shoulder — indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is knee replacements (19 cases), followed by shoulder replacements (12) and hip replacements (11).
Morehead City is home to 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Morehead City area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Spellman extend back to 2017, covering 7 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 12 to 42 in the most recent data, a 250% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Spellman's 19 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,599 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 20 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 17 | 14 |
| 2024 | 11 | 19 | 12 |
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. Spellman Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Spellman's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 250% from 12 procedures in 2017 to 42 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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.
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. Spellman
How does Dr. Spellman's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Spellman has performed 42 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. Spellman ranks #150 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Spellman perform?
Dr. Spellman performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (19 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases), hip replacement (11 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Spellman in Morehead City?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Morehead City 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. Spellman 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. Spellman's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 42 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Spellman's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Spellman's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2017 to 42 in the most recent data, a 250% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 42 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Spellman perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Spellman's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (19 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases), hip replacement (11 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Spellman among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Spellman affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Spellman is affiliated with Carteret General Hospital.
How does Dr. Spellman compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Morehead City?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Morehead City, Dr. Spellman ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Morehead City has 118 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Spellman practices?
Carteret General Hospital (1 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 Morehead City, North Carolina
Dr. Spellman's 42 Medicare procedures are below the Morehead City average of 69. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Morehead City.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Thomas Bates | 118 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Robert Coles | 71 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Jeffrey Moore | 43 | 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.