Dr. John Wright, M.D.
Contact & Location
308-865-2600
Kearney, NE 68847
Dr. Wright performs more knee replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #1 of 60 ranked knee surgeons in Nebraska.
About Dr. Wright
Practice. Dr. John Wright is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Kearney, Nebraska. The latest annual CMS data records 183 knee replacements, 80 hip replacements, and 29 shoulder replacements, 292 procedures in all. That is #1 in Nebraska for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 221 procedures a year to 292, up 32%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 183 procedures is more than 4x the national average of 45. That is #81 nationally.
Local context. Kearney has 3 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 62 | 133 | 26 |
| 2014 | 64 | 137 | 26 |
| 2015 | 69 | 152 | 22 |
| 2016 | 67 | 126 | 26 |
| 2017 | 79 | 142 | 25 |
| 2018 | 80 | 148 | 26 |
| 2019 | 94 | 189 | 25 |
| 2020 | 59 | 164 | 26 |
| 2021 | 81 | 180 | 22 |
| 2022 | 79 | 159 | 19 |
| 2023 | 63 | 204 | 23 |
| 2024 | 80 | 183 | 29 |
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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Wright Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Nebraska state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Wright's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 32% from 221 procedures in 2013 to 292 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Wright
How does Dr. Wright's procedure volume compare to other Nebraska surgeons?
Dr. Wright has performed 292 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Nebraska average of 81 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Wright ranks #2 out of 72 orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wright perform?
Dr. Wright performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (183 cases), hip replacement (80 cases), shoulder replacement (29 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
How experienced is Dr. Wright with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Wright ranks #1 in Nebraska for knee replacement with 183 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 72 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wright in Kearney?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Kearney 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 Nebraska surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Wright 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Wright's total volume across all insurers at roughly 970 to 1,220 procedures against the 292 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. Wright's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Wright's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 221 procedures in 2013 to 292 in the most recent data, a 32% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 308 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Wright perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Wright's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (183 cases), hip replacement (80 cases), shoulder replacement (29 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Wright among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Wright affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wright is affiliated with Chi Health Good Samaritan, Harlan County Health System, Phelps Memorial Health Center, Howard County Medical Center, Community Hospital.
How does Dr. Wright compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Kearney?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Kearney, Dr. Wright ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Wright has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wright practices?
Chi Health Good Samaritan (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Phelps Memorial Health Center (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 Kearney, Nebraska
Dr. Wright's 292 Medicare procedures are above the Kearney average of 151. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Kearney.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ryan Deblis | 144 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nolan May | 16 | 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.