Dr. Christopher Melnic, M.D.
Contact & Location
215-349-8731
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Dr. Melnic performs more knee replacement procedures than 95% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #14 of 308 ranked knee surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Melnic
Practice. Dr. Christopher Melnic is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 132 knee replacements and 68 hip replacements, 200 procedures in all. That is #14 in Pennsylvania for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 200, up 1567%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 132 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Philadelphia has 30 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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 28 |
| 2018 | 37 | 43 |
| 2019 | 58 | 85 |
| 2020 | 73 | 103 |
| 2021 | 71 | 121 |
| 2022 | 92 | 128 |
| 2023 | 70 | 111 |
| 2024 | 68 | 132 |
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. Melnic Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Melnic's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 1567% from 12 procedures in 2016 to 200 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 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
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. Melnic
How does Dr. Melnic's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Melnic has performed 200 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Pennsylvania average of 66 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Melnic ranks #17 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Melnic perform?
Dr. Melnic's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (132 cases) and hip replacement (68 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Melnic with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Melnic ranks #14 in Pennsylvania for knee replacement with 132 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 376 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Melnic in Philadelphia?
Yes. There are 30 orthopedic surgeons in Philadelphia 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 Pennsylvania surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Melnic 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. Melnic's total volume across all insurers at roughly 680 to 850 procedures against the 200 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. Melnic's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Melnic's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2016 to 200 in the most recent data, a 1567% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 220 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Melnic perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Melnic's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (132 cases), hip replacement (68 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Melnic affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Melnic is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Umass Memorial Health-Milford Regional Medical Ctr, Brigham And Women'S Hospital. Dr. Melnic maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Melnic compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Philadelphia?
Among the 30 orthopedic surgeons in Philadelphia, Dr. Melnic ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Melnic has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Melnic practices?
Massachusetts General Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Newton-Wellesley Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Umass Memorial Health-Milford Regional Medical Ctr (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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dr. Melnic's 200 Medicare procedures are above the Philadelphia average of 162. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Philadelphia.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Craig Israelite | 195 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Purtill | 171 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Stephen Sizer | 165 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Neil Sheth | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Charles Nelson | 137 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Travers | 126 | 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.