Dr. Ralph Carter, MD
Contact & Location
704-323-2000
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Dr. Carter performs more knee replacement procedures than 37% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #142 of 228 ranked knee surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Carter
Dr. Ralph Carter is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Laurinburg, North Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2007, Dr. Carter performed 24 Medicare-verified knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #142 in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, Dr. Carter performs below the state average in knee (24 vs 44).
Dr. Carter's Medicare data shows a focused knee replacement practice with 24 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.
Dr. Carter is the only orthopedic surgeon in Laurinburg represented in the current Medicare dataset, serving as the primary local option for patients considering joint replacement surgery in the area.
Dr. Carter's Medicare data spans 11 years, beginning in 2013. Volume peaked at 43 procedures in 2014 before settling at 24 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Dr. Carter's 24 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 32 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 26 | 11 |
| 2017 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 24 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 27 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
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. 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. Carter Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Carter's recorded volume peaked at 43 procedures in 2014 and stood at 24 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Carter
How does Dr. Carter's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Carter has performed 24 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. Carter ranks #208 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Carter perform?
Dr. Carter's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 24 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Where is Dr. Carter's practice located?
Dr. Carter practices in Laurinburg, North Carolina. The office is located at 1604 Medical Dr, Laurinburg, NC 28352. Patients in the surrounding area can consult Dr. Carter for joint replacement evaluation.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Carter 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, which puts Dr. Carter's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 100 procedures against the 24 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. Carter's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Carter's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 43 procedures in 2014 and was 24 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Carter affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Carter is affiliated with Scotland Memorial Hospital, Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Carter practices?
Scotland Memorial Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Southeastern Regional Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital (4 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.
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.