#1 Knee
#6 Hip
#12 Shoulder

Dr. John Wright, MD

Orthopedic Surgery
290 procedures 5 hospitals Kearney, NE
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Volume Leader Rising Star Top 10% Nationally
Knee replacement recovery kit Ice machines, mobility aids, bathroom safety — under $50 essentials
National Comparison by Procedure
Hip 63 vs 36 avg (4,526 surgeons)
Knee 204 vs 45 avg (6,720 surgeons)
Shoulder 23 vs 28 avg (2,092 surgeons)

Dr. John Wright is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Kearney, Nebraska. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Wright has completed 204 knee replacements (#1 in Nebraska), 63 hip replacements, and 23 shoulder replacements, totaling 290 Medicare-verified procedures.

In Nebraska, Dr. Wright performs well above average in knee (204 vs 53 avg), above average in hip (63 vs 39 avg), below average in shoulder (23 vs 35 avg).

Dr. Wright performs all three major joint replacement procedures — hip, knee, and shoulder — indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is knee replacements (204 cases), followed by hip replacements (63) and shoulder replacements (23).

Kearney is home to 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Kearney area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Medicare records for Dr. Wright extend back to 2013, covering 11 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 221 to 290 in the most recent data, a 31% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.

Among 6,720 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Wright's 204 verified procedures is more than 4x the national average of 45, ranking #54 nationally.

Verified Medicare Cases

Knee Replacement
204 verified cases
#1 in Nebraska
Hip Replacement
63 verified cases
#6 in Nebraska
Shoulder Replacement
23 verified cases
#12 in Nebraska
Estimated total: 780 – 880 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
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. Wright Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Nebraska state average.

Hip High
63 Avg: 39
Knee Very High
204 Avg: 53
Shoulder Below Avg
23 Avg: 35
Dr. Wright Nebraska Average

Contact & Location

Phone: 308-865-2600
3219 Central Ave
Kearney, NE 68847
NPI: 1992745913
Credentials: MD
Active Medicare provider (NPI verified)
20 years of practice experience
Licensed MD
Licensed surgical specialist
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
Contact information available
Find Practice on Google Maps

Volume Trend Analysis

Dr. Wright's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 31% from 221 procedures in 2013 to 290 in the most recent data.

Years of Data 11
2023 Volume 290
Peak Volume 308 (2019)
Trend Growing

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Chi Health Good Samaritan
★★★★☆
Kearney, NE
Low case volume
H
Harlan County Health System
Alma, NE
H
Phelps Memorial Health Center
Holdrege, NE
Low case volume
H
Howard County Medical Center
St Paul, NE
H
Community Hospital
★★★☆☆
Mccook, NE
Low case volume

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.

Knee Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:

Week 1-2 Walking with assistive device. Knee bending exercises begin immediately. Ice therapy and elevation for swelling control.
Week 3-6 Increased range of motion (target 90 degrees). Walking longer distances. Physical therapy intensifies with strengthening exercises.
Week 7-12 Most patients walk without assistive devices. Resume driving and desk work. Continue PT for strength and flexibility.
Month 4-6 Near-full recovery. Resume most recreational activities. Some swelling and stiffness may persist but continues improving.

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 290 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Nebraska average of 79 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Wright ranks #2 out of 73 orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wright perform?

Dr. Wright performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (204 cases), hip replacement (63 cases), shoulder replacement (23 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 204 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 73 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wright in Kearney?

Yes. There are 4 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 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. Wright's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 290 procedures shown here.

Has Dr. Wright's procedure volume changed over time?

Yes. Dr. Wright's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 221 procedures in 2013 to 290 in the most recent data, a 31% increase over 11 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 (204 cases), hip replacement (63 cases), shoulder replacement (23 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 4 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 290 Medicare procedures are above the Kearney average of 118. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Kearney.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. Ryan Deblis 146 Hip, Knee
Dr. Chris Wilkinson 20 Knee
Dr. Nolan May 16 Shoulder

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. John Wright, MD -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ne/dr-john-wright-kearney.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ne/dr-john-wright-kearney.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.