Dr. Kari Babinski, M.D.
Contact & Location
505-724-4300
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Dr. Babinski performs more knee replacement procedures than 47% of orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #20 of 38 ranked knee surgeons in New Mexico.
About Dr. Babinski
Practice. Dr. Kari Babinski is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The latest annual CMS data records 37 knee replacements and 11 shoulder replacements, 48 procedures in all. That is #20 in New Mexico for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 48, up 300%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 37 procedures is near 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 0 |
| 2014 | 12 | 0 |
| 2015 | 11 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 11 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 13 | 0 |
| 2019 | 28 | 0 |
| 2020 | 21 | 0 |
| 2021 | 39 | 0 |
| 2022 | 49 | 0 |
| 2023 | 45 | 0 |
| 2024 | 37 | 11 |
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, 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. Babinski Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New Mexico state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Babinski's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 300% from 12 procedures in 2013 to 48 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 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Babinski
How does Dr. Babinski's procedure volume compare to other New Mexico surgeons?
Dr. Babinski has performed 48 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the New Mexico average of 56 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Babinski ranks #23 out of 45 orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Babinski perform?
Dr. Babinski's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (37 cases) and shoulder replacement (11 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Babinski with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Babinski ranks #20 in New Mexico for knee replacement with 37 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 45 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Babinski 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. Babinski 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Babinski's total volume across all insurers at roughly 160 to 200 procedures against the 48 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. Babinski's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Babinski's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2013 to 48 in the most recent data, a 300% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 49 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Babinski perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Babinski's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (37 cases), shoulder replacement (11 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Babinski affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Babinski is affiliated with Lovelace Women'S Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital.
How does Dr. Babinski compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque?
Among the 24 orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque, Dr. Babinski ranks #14 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. Babinski practices?
Lovelace Women'S Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Presbyterian Hospital (3 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dr. Babinski's 48 Medicare procedures are below the Albuquerque average of 103. 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.