Dr. Samer Kakish, FRCS(TR, &, ORTH), M.Sc.
Contact & Location
505-272-4107
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Dr. Kakish performs more knee replacement procedures than 10% of orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #34 of 38 ranked knee surgeons in New Mexico.
About Dr. Kakish
Practice. Dr. Samer Kakish is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The latest annual CMS data records 17 knee replacements. That is #34 in New Mexico for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2015.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 5 years. Volume peaked at 24 in 2018 and stands at 17 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 17 procedures is below the national average of 45. 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 | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 17 |
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. 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. Kakish Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New Mexico state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kakish's recorded volume peaked at 24 procedures in 2018 and stood at 17 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.
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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Kakish
How does Dr. Kakish's procedure volume compare to other New Mexico surgeons?
Dr. Kakish has performed 17 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. Kakish ranks #37 out of 45 orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kakish perform?
Dr. Kakish's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 17 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kakish 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. Kakish 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, which puts Dr. Kakish's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 70 procedures against the 17 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. Kakish's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Kakish's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 24 procedures in 2018 and was 17 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kakish affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kakish is affiliated with Unm Hospital.
How does Dr. Kakish compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque?
Among the 24 orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque, Dr. Kakish ranks #18 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. Kakish practices?
Unm Hospital (2 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. Kakish's 17 Medicare procedures are below the Albuquerque average of 99. 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.