Dr. Christopher Schmidt, M.D.
Contact & Location
877-471-0935
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Dr. Schmidt performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 87% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #12 of 95 ranked shoulder surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Schmidt
Practice. Dr. Christopher Schmidt is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 48 shoulder replacements. That is #12 in Pennsylvania for shoulder replacement. Dr. Schmidt also holds credentials in Hand Surgery. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 48, up 336%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 48 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Pittsburgh has 41 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 | 11 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 45 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 48 |
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. Schmidt Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Schmidt's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 336% from 11 procedures in 2013 to 48 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Schmidt
How does Dr. Schmidt's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Schmidt has performed 48 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Pennsylvania average is 66 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Schmidt ranks #184 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Schmidt perform?
Dr. Schmidt's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 48 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Schmidt with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Schmidt ranks #12 in Pennsylvania for shoulder replacement with 48 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 376 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Schmidt in Pittsburgh?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh 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. Schmidt 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. Schmidt's total volume across all insurers at roughly 130 to 170 procedures against the 48 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. Schmidt's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Schmidt's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2013 to 48 in the most recent data, a 336% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 48 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Schmidt affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Schmidt is affiliated with Upmc Passavant, Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside, Advanced Surgical Hospital, Upmc Washington, Heritage Valley Sewickley.
How does Dr. Schmidt compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, Dr. Schmidt ranks #22 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Pittsburgh has 203 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Schmidt practices?
Upmc Passavant (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Advanced Surgical Hospital (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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dr. Schmidt's 48 Medicare procedures are below the Pittsburgh average of 108. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Pittsburgh.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryce Braaksma | 203 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Omalley | 156 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Pagnotto | 124 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Julius Huebner | 77 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Yram Groff | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Yakish | 75 | 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.