Dr. Stephen O'brien, ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON
Contact & Location
212-606-1011
New York, NY 10021
Dr. O'brien performs more knee replacement procedures than 15% of orthopedic surgeons in New York, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #227 of 269 ranked knee surgeons in New York.
About Dr. O'brien
Practice. Dr. Stephen O'brien is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in New York, New York. The latest annual CMS data records 16 knee replacements. That is #227 in New York for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 41 in 2013 and stands at 16 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 16 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. New York has 84 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 | 41 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 34 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2017 | 37 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2019 | 39 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 16 |
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. O'brien Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New York state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. O'brien's recorded volume peaked at 41 procedures in 2013 and stood at 16 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. O'brien
How does Dr. O'brien's procedure volume compare to other New York surgeons?
Dr. O'brien has performed 16 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. O'brien ranks #287 out of 334 orthopedic surgeons in New York.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. O'brien perform?
Dr. O'brien's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 16 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. O'brien in New York?
Yes. There are 84 orthopedic surgeons in New York 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. O'brien 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. O'brien's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 70 procedures against the 16 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. O'brien's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. O'brien's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 41 procedures in 2013 and was 16 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. O'brien affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. O'brien is affiliated with Hospital For Special Surgery.
How does Dr. O'brien compare to other orthopedic surgeons in New York?
Among the 84 orthopedic surgeons in New York, Dr. O'brien ranks #75 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in New York has 343 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. O'brien practices?
Hospital For Special Surgery (5 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 New York, New York
Dr. O'brien's 16 Medicare procedures are below the New York average of 261. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in New York.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Brian Chalmers | 343 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jason Blevins | 322 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eytan Debbi | 322 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Amar Ranawat | 318 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Geoffrey Westrich | 276 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Elizabeth Gausden | 229 | 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.