Dr. David Christensen, M.D.
Contact & Location
603-650-7123
Lebanon, NH 03756
Malone, NY 12953
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Burlington, VT 05401
Elizabethtown, NY 12932
Dr. Christensen performs more hip replacement procedures than 35% of orthopedic surgeons in New Hampshire, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #22 of 34 ranked hip surgeons in New Hampshire.
About Dr. Christensen
Practice. Dr. David Christensen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lebanon, New Hampshire. The latest annual CMS data records 32 hip replacements and 26 knee replacements, 58 procedures in all. That is #22 in New Hampshire for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2014.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume rose from 32 procedures a year to 58, up 81%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 32 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Lebanon has 11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 16 | 16 |
| 2020 | 19 | 12 |
| 2021 | 29 | 15 |
| 2022 | 44 | 27 |
| 2023 | 32 | 26 |
| 2024 | 32 | 26 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Christensen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New Hampshire state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Christensen's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 81% from 32 procedures in 2019 to 58 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Christensen
How does Dr. Christensen's procedure volume compare to other New Hampshire surgeons?
Dr. Christensen has performed 58 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the New Hampshire average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Christensen ranks #28 out of 56 orthopedic surgeons in New Hampshire.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Christensen perform?
Dr. Christensen's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (32 cases) and knee replacement (26 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Christensen in Lebanon?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lebanon 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 New Hampshire surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Christensen 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Christensen's total volume across all insurers at roughly 190 to 240 procedures against the 58 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. Christensen's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Christensen's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 32 procedures in 2019 to 58 in the most recent data, a 81% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 71 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Christensen perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Christensen's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (32 cases), knee replacement (26 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Christensen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Christensen is affiliated with The University Of Vermont Health Network - Champl, Elizabethtown Community Hospital, The University Of Vermont Health Network-Alice Hy. Dr. Christensen maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Christensen compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lebanon?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lebanon, Dr. Christensen ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Lebanon has 189 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Christensen practices?
The University Of Vermont Health Network - Champl (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); The University Of Vermont Health Network-Alice Hy (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 Lebanon, New Hampshire
Dr. Christensen's 58 Medicare procedures are below the Lebanon average of 105. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lebanon.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Garrett Davis | 189 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Dwyer | 131 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wayne Moschetti | 124 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John-Erik Bell | 83 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Marcus Coe | 77 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Alexander Orem | 76 | Hip, Knee |
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.