Dr. Joshua Carothers, M.D.
Contact & Location
505-724-4300
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Dr. Carothers performs more knee replacement procedures than 89% of orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #4 of 38 ranked knee surgeons in New Mexico.
About Dr. Carothers
Practice. Dr. Joshua Carothers is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The latest annual CMS data records 83 knee replacements and 15 hip replacements, 98 procedures in all. That is #4 in New Mexico for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 94 and 151 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 83 procedures is above the national average of 45.
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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 34 | 60 |
| 2014 | 25 | 72 |
| 2015 | 41 | 66 |
| 2016 | 33 | 97 |
| 2017 | 30 | 97 |
| 2018 | 37 | 84 |
| 2019 | 45 | 87 |
| 2020 | 49 | 58 |
| 2021 | 53 | 98 |
| 2022 | 50 | 65 |
| 2023 | 40 | 109 |
| 2024 | 15 | 83 |
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. Carothers Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New Mexico state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Carothers's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 94 to 151 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 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.
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.
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. Carothers
How does Dr. Carothers's procedure volume compare to other New Mexico surgeons?
Dr. Carothers has performed 98 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the New Mexico average of 56 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Carothers ranks #7 out of 45 orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Carothers perform?
Dr. Carothers's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (83 cases) and hip replacement (15 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Carothers with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Carothers ranks #4 in New Mexico for knee replacement with 83 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 45 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Carothers 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. Carothers 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. Carothers's total volume across all insurers at roughly 340 to 420 procedures against the 98 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. Carothers's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Carothers's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 94 to 151 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Carothers perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Carothers's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (83 cases), hip replacement (15 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Carothers affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Carothers is affiliated with Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center, Holy Cross Hospital A Div Of Taos Health Systems.
How does Dr. Carothers compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque?
Among the 24 orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque, Dr. Carothers ranks #4 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. Carothers practices?
Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Holy Cross Hospital A Div Of Taos Health Systems (3 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. Carothers's 98 Medicare procedures are below the Albuquerque average of 107. 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. John Krumme | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Arnold Kiburz | 80 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Patrick Gilligan | 77 | 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.