Dr. Richard Forster, M.D.
Contact & Location
937-298-4417
Dayton, OH 45420
Dr. Forster performs more knee replacement procedures than 78% of orthopedic surgeons in Ohio, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #65 of 305 ranked knee surgeons in Ohio.
About Dr. Forster
Practice. Dr. Richard Forster is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Dayton, Ohio. The latest annual CMS data records 61 knee replacements and 21 hip replacements, 82 procedures in all. That is #65 in Ohio for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 187 in 2016 and stands at 82 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 61 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Dayton has 20 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 46 | 117 |
| 2014 | 30 | 103 |
| 2015 | 30 | 106 |
| 2016 | 35 | 152 |
| 2017 | 26 | 126 |
| 2018 | 37 | 106 |
| 2019 | 38 | 102 |
| 2020 | 27 | 70 |
| 2021 | 32 | 92 |
| 2022 | 23 | 62 |
| 2023 | 22 | 70 |
| 2024 | 21 | 61 |
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, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Forster Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Ohio state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Forster's recorded volume peaked at 187 procedures in 2016 and stood at 82 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. Forster
How does Dr. Forster's procedure volume compare to other Ohio surgeons?
Dr. Forster has performed 82 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Ohio average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Forster ranks #95 out of 370 orthopedic surgeons in Ohio.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Forster perform?
Dr. Forster's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (61 cases) and hip replacement (21 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Forster in Dayton?
Yes. There are 20 orthopedic surgeons in Dayton 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. Forster 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Forster's total volume across all insurers at roughly 280 to 350 procedures against the 82 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. Forster's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Forster's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 187 procedures in 2016 and was 82 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.
Does Dr. Forster perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Forster's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (61 cases), hip replacement (21 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Forster affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Forster is affiliated with Miami Valley Hospital, Kettering Health Main Campus, Kettering Health Dayton.
How does Dr. Forster compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Dayton?
Among the 20 orthopedic surgeons in Dayton, Dr. Forster ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Dayton has 174 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Forster practices?
Miami Valley Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Kettering Health Main Campus (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Kettering Health Dayton (2 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 Dayton, Ohio
Dr. Forster's 82 Medicare procedures are below the Dayton average of 104. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Dayton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ryan Bauman | 174 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chad Weber | 106 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Thomas Cook | 93 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Romer | 92 | Knee |
| Dr. Antonio Manocchio | 91 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Hess | 91 | Hip, 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.