Dr. Michael Lauffenburger, M.D.
Contact & Location
704-323-2000
Winston Salem, NC 27103
Dr. Lauffenburger performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 72% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #22 of 81 ranked shoulder surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Lauffenburger
Practice. Dr. Michael Lauffenburger is an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Winston Salem, North Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 30 shoulder replacements. That is #22 in North Carolina for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 30, up 173%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 30 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Winston Salem has 10 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2024 | 30 |
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. Lauffenburger Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in North Carolina
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Lauffenburger's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 173% from 11 procedures in 2016 to 30 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Lauffenburger
How does Dr. Lauffenburger's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Lauffenburger has performed 30 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. Lauffenburger ranks #192 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Lauffenburger perform?
Dr. Lauffenburger's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 30 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Lauffenburger in Winston Salem?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Winston Salem 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. Lauffenburger 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. Lauffenburger's total volume across all insurers at roughly 80 to 100 procedures against the 30 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. Lauffenburger's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Lauffenburger's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2016 to 30 in the most recent data, a 173% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 30 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Lauffenburger affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Lauffenburger is affiliated with Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Lauffenburger compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Winston Salem?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Winston Salem, Dr. Lauffenburger ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Winston Salem has 232 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Lauffenburger practices?
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than national average); Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital (3 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 Winston Salem, North Carolina
Dr. Lauffenburger's 30 Medicare procedures are below the Winston Salem average of 90. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Winston Salem.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Howe | 232 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Shields | 98 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Maxwell Langfitt | 95 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Henderson | 81 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Calvin Maxwell McCabe | 69 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Scott Wilson | 25 | 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.