Contact & Location
732-349-8454
Toms River, NJ 08755
Morganville, NJ 07751
Dr. Blum performs more knee replacement procedures than 30% of orthopedic surgeons in New Jersey, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #98 of 140 ranked knee surgeons in New Jersey.
About Dr. Blum
Practice. Dr. Karl Blum is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Toms River, New Jersey. The latest annual CMS data records 21 knee replacements and 13 hip replacements, 34 procedures in all. That is #98 in New Jersey for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 61 in 2022 and stands at 34 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 21 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Toms River has 8 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 | 28 |
| 2014 | 15 | 34 |
| 2015 | 13 | 27 |
| 2016 | 0 | 32 |
| 2017 | 14 | 29 |
| 2018 | 15 | 29 |
| 2019 | 14 | 28 |
| 2020 | 11 | 26 |
| 2021 | 23 | 24 |
| 2022 | 27 | 34 |
| 2023 | 18 | 20 |
| 2024 | 13 | 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Blum Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New Jersey state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Blum's recorded volume peaked at 61 procedures in 2022 and stood at 34 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 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.
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
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. Blum
How does Dr. Blum's procedure volume compare to other New Jersey surgeons?
Dr. Blum has performed 34 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The New Jersey average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Blum ranks #104 out of 184 orthopedic surgeons in New Jersey.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Blum perform?
Dr. Blum's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (21 cases) and hip replacement (13 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Blum in Toms River?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Toms River 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 Jersey surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Blum 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, which puts Dr. Blum's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 34 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. Blum's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Blum's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 61 procedures in 2022 and was 34 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.
Does Dr. Blum perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Blum's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (21 cases), hip replacement (13 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Blum affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Blum is affiliated with Community Medical Center.
How does Dr. Blum compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Toms River?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Toms River, Dr. Blum ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Blum is among the highest-volume surgeons in Toms River.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Blum practices?
Community Medical Center (1 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 Toms River, New Jersey
Dr. Blum's 34 Medicare procedures are above the Toms River average of 26. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Toms River.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Erik Larsen | 40 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Kasper | 33 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Tauro | 28 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Christopher Passariello | 18 | Hip |
| Dr. Robert Nugent | 15 | Hip |
| Dr. David Dickerson | 14 | Hip |
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.