Dr. Curtis Noel, M.D.
Contact & Location
330-668-4040
Akron, OH 44333
Dr. Noel performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Ohio, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #2 of 100 ranked shoulder surgeons in Ohio.
About Dr. Noel
Practice. Dr. Curtis Noel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Akron, Ohio. The latest annual CMS data records 95 shoulder replacements. That is #2 in Ohio for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 46 procedures a year to 95, up 107%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 95 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 29. That is #45 nationally.
Local context. Akron has 13 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 | 46 |
| 2014 | 66 |
| 2015 | 74 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 106 |
| 2018 | 99 |
| 2019 | 97 |
| 2020 | 82 |
| 2021 | 86 |
| 2022 | 83 |
| 2023 | 93 |
| 2024 | 95 |
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. Noel Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Ohio state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Noel's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 107% from 46 procedures in 2013 to 95 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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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. Noel
How does Dr. Noel's procedure volume compare to other Ohio surgeons?
Dr. Noel has performed 95 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Ohio average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Noel ranks #68 out of 370 orthopedic surgeons in Ohio.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Noel perform?
Dr. Noel's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 95 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Noel with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Noel ranks #2 in Ohio for shoulder replacement with 95 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 370 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Noel in Akron?
Yes. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons in Akron 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 Ohio surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Noel 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. Noel's total volume across all insurers at roughly 260 to 330 procedures against the 95 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. Noel's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Noel's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 46 procedures in 2013 to 95 in the most recent data, a 107% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 106 procedures in 2017.
Which hospitals is Dr. Noel affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Noel is affiliated with Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center, Union Hospital, Akron General Medical Center, Wooster Community Hospital, Aultman Hospital.
How does Dr. Noel compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Akron?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Akron, Dr. Noel ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Noel is among the highest-volume surgeons in Akron.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Noel practices?
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than national average); Union Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Akron General Medical Center (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 Akron, Ohio
Dr. Noel's 95 Medicare procedures are above the Akron average of 83. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Akron.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Phillip Lewandowski | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ian Gradisar | 100 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kiel Pfefferle | 86 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Combs | 64 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Streit | 50 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Anthony Kantaras | 31 | 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.