Dr. Kristen Thomas, M.D.
Contact & Location
503-413-4488
Portland, OR 97227
Dr. Thomas performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 6% of orthopedic surgeons in Oregon, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #29 of 31 ranked shoulder surgeons in Oregon.
About Dr. Thomas
Practice. Dr. Kristen Thomas is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Portland, Oregon. The latest annual CMS data records 13 shoulder replacements. That is #29 in Oregon for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 4 years. Volume peaked at 21 in 2022 and stands at 13 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 13 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Portland has 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Thomas also holds hospital privileges in OR and WA, a practice that extends beyond Oregon.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 13 |
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. Thomas Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Oregon state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Thomas's recorded volume peaked at 21 procedures in 2022 and stood at 13 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 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.
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 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. Thomas
How does Dr. Thomas's procedure volume compare to other Oregon surgeons?
Dr. Thomas has performed 13 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Oregon average is 63 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Thomas ranks #97 out of 101 orthopedic surgeons in Oregon.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Thomas perform?
Dr. Thomas's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 13 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Thomas in Portland?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Portland 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 Oregon surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Thomas 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. Thomas's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 40 procedures against the 13 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. Thomas's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Thomas's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 21 procedures in 2022 and was 13 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. Thomas affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Thomas is affiliated with Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. Dr. Thomas maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Thomas compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Portland?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Portland, Dr. Thomas ranks #17 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Portland has 138 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Thomas practices?
Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Legacy Emanuel Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center (4 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 Portland, Oregon
Dr. Thomas's 13 Medicare procedures are below the Portland average of 93. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Portland.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Gustav Fischer | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Alexander Dehaan | 137 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Bryan | 107 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kathryn Schabel | 91 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Estes | 86 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Elizabeth Lieberman | 82 | 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.