Dr. Robert Coles, MD
Contact & Location
252-247-2101
Morehead City, NC 28557
About Dr. Coles
Dr. Robert Coles is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Morehead City, North Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Coles completed 43 knee replacements (#77 in North Carolina), 16 hip replacements, and 12 shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, totaling 71 Medicare-verified procedures.
In North Carolina, Dr. Coles performs near the state average in knee (43 vs 44), below the state average in hip (16 vs 33), below the state average in shoulder (12 vs 26).
Dr. Coles performs all three major joint replacement procedures — hip, knee, and shoulder — indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is knee replacements (43 cases), followed by hip replacements (16) and shoulder replacements (12).
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. Coles extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 32 to 71 in the most recent data, a 122% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,599 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Coles's 43 verified procedures is near the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 20 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 20 | 12 |
| 2016 | 14 | 24 | 0 |
| 2017 | 20 | 31 | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 | 30 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 33 | 0 |
| 2020 | 21 | 32 | 15 |
| 2021 | 16 | 25 | 0 |
| 2022 | 17 | 36 | 12 |
| 2023 | 15 | 35 | 12 |
| 2024 | 16 | 43 | 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. Coles Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Coles's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 122% from 32 procedures in 2013 to 71 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.
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.
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. Coles
How does Dr. Coles's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Coles has performed 71 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the North Carolina average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Coles ranks #80 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Coles perform?
Dr. Coles performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (43 cases), hip replacement (16 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Coles 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. Coles 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. Coles's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 71 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Coles's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Coles's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 32 procedures in 2013 to 71 in the most recent data, a 122% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 71 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Coles perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Coles's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (43 cases), hip replacement (16 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Coles among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Coles affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Coles is affiliated with Carteret General Hospital, Onslow Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Coles compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Morehead City?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Morehead City, Dr. Coles ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Coles is among the highest-volume surgeons in Morehead City.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Coles practices?
Carteret General Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Onslow Memorial Hospital (1 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 Morehead City, North Carolina
Dr. Coles's 71 Medicare procedures are above 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. Jeffrey Moore | 43 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Spellman | 42 | Hip, Knee, 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.