Dr. Robert Creighton, MD
Contact & Location
919-966-8596
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Dr. Creighton performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 49% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #41 of 81 ranked shoulder surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Creighton
Dr. Robert Creighton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Creighton performed 21 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #41 in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, Dr. Creighton performs near the state average in shoulder (21 vs 26).
Dr. Creighton's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 21 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.
Chapel Hill is home to 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Chapel Hill area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Creighton's Medicare data spans 12 years, beginning in 2013. Volume peaked at 38 procedures in 2018 before settling at 21 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Dr. Creighton's 21 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,217 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 29 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2019 | 36 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 21 |
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. Creighton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in North Carolina
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Creighton's recorded volume peaked at 38 procedures in 2018 and stood at 21 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 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.
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.
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. Creighton
How does Dr. Creighton's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Creighton has performed 21 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. Creighton ranks #223 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Creighton perform?
Dr. Creighton's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 21 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Creighton in Chapel Hill?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Chapel Hill 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. Creighton 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. Creighton's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 70 procedures against the 21 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. Creighton's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Creighton's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 38 procedures in 2018 and was 21 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. Creighton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Creighton is affiliated with Unc Hospitals, Rex Hospital.
How does Dr. Creighton compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chapel Hill?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Chapel Hill, Dr. Creighton ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Creighton is among the highest-volume surgeons in Chapel Hill.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Creighton practices?
Unc Hospitals (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Rex Hospital (5 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 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Dr. Creighton's 21 Medicare procedures are below the Chapel Hill average of 77. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chapel Hill.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Aaron Forbes | 227 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Olcott | 46 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ganesh Kamath | 15 | 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.