Dr. Lawson Smart, M.D.
Contact & Location
315-251-3100
Syracuse, NY 13214
Dr. Smart performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 63% of orthopedic surgeons in New York, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #27 of 73 ranked shoulder surgeons in New York.
About Dr. Smart
Practice. Dr. Lawson Smart is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Syracuse, New York. The latest annual CMS data records 30 shoulder replacements. That is #27 in New York for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 7 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 30, up 150%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 30 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Syracuse has 7 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 | 12 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 30 |
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. Smart Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New York state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Smart's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 150% from 12 procedures in 2017 to 30 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 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. Smart
How does Dr. Smart's procedure volume compare to other New York surgeons?
Dr. Smart has performed 30 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The New York average is 69 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Smart ranks #229 out of 334 orthopedic surgeons in New York.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Smart perform?
Dr. Smart's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 30 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Smart in Syracuse?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in Syracuse 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 York surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Smart 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. Smart's total volume across all insurers at roughly 80 to 100 procedures against the 30 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. Smart's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Smart's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2017 to 30 in the most recent data, a 150% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 30 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Smart affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Smart is affiliated with Crouse Hospital, St Joseph'S Hospital Health Center, Oswego Hospital, Carthage Area Hospital, Inc, Auburn Community Hospital.
How does Dr. Smart compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Syracuse?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in Syracuse, Dr. Smart ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Syracuse has 129 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Smart practices?
Crouse Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Joseph'S Hospital Health Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Oswego Hospital (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 Syracuse, New York
Dr. Smart's 30 Medicare procedures are below the Syracuse average of 73. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Syracuse.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Anthony Orio | 129 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Max Greenky | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Kopko | 103 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Clarke | 79 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nathan Everding | 46 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Wiese | 11 | 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.