Dr. Robert Wham, M.D.
Contact & Location
828-692-4356
Asheville, NC 28803
Atlanta, GA 30329
Boston, MA 02114
Dr. Wham performs more joint replacement procedures than 1% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #290 of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Wham
Practice. Dr. Robert Wham is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Asheville, North Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 11 knee replacements. That is #228 in North Carolina for knee replacement. Dr. Wham also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Dr. Wham first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 11 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Asheville has 15 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 11 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Wham Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
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. Wham
How does Dr. Wham's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Wham has performed 11 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. Wham ranks #290 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wham perform?
Dr. Wham's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 11 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wham in Asheville?
Yes. There are 15 orthopedic surgeons in Asheville 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. Wham 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. Wham's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 11 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Wham affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wham is affiliated with Adventhealth Hendersonville, Margaret R Pardee Memorial Hospital, Advent Health Polk.
How does Dr. Wham compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Asheville?
Among the 15 orthopedic surgeons in Asheville, Dr. Wham ranks #15 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Asheville has 176 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wham practices?
Adventhealth Hendersonville (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Margaret R Pardee Memorial Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Advent Health Polk (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 Asheville, North Carolina
Dr. Wham's 11 Medicare procedures are below the Asheville average of 89. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Asheville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ted Barnett | 176 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Karegeannes | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Philip Fontenot | 121 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Tally Eddings | 67 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Jones | 62 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Robert Boykin | 49 | 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.