Dr. John Franco, M.D.
Contact & Location
505-724-4300
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Dr. Franco performs more joint replacement procedures than 8% of orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #41 of 45 orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico.
About Dr. Franco
Practice. Dr. John Franco is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The latest annual CMS data records 15 shoulder replacements. That is #9 in New Mexico for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume has held between 15 and 17 procedures a year.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 15 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Albuquerque has 24 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 15 |
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 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. Franco Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New Mexico state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Franco's procedure volume has been consistent across 3 years of Medicare data, ranging from 15 to 17 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Franco
How does Dr. Franco's procedure volume compare to other New Mexico surgeons?
Dr. Franco has performed 15 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The New Mexico average is 56 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Franco ranks #41 out of 45 orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Franco perform?
Dr. Franco's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 15 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Franco with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Franco ranks #9 in New Mexico for shoulder replacement with 15 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 45 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Franco in Albuquerque?
Yes. There are 24 orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque 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 Mexico surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Franco 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Franco's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 15 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. Franco's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Franco's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 3 years of Medicare data, ranging from 15 to 17 procedures per year between 2022 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Franco affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Franco is affiliated with Presbyterian Hospital, Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center.
How does Dr. Franco compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque?
Among the 24 orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque, Dr. Franco ranks #21 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Albuquerque has 155 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Franco practices?
Presbyterian Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center (5 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dr. Franco's 15 Medicare procedures are below the Albuquerque average of 98. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Albuquerque.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Hanosh | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Krishna Tripuraneni | 153 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Mulkey | 99 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joshua Carothers | 98 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Krumme | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Arnold Kiburz | 80 | Knee, 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.