Dr. Craig Israelite, MD
Contact & Location
215-662-3340
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Dr. Israelite performs more knee replacement procedures than 97% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #8 of 308 ranked knee surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Israelite
Dr. Craig Israelite is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Israelite performed 160 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#8 in Pennsylvania) and 35 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 195 procedures.
In Pennsylvania, Dr. Israelite performs well above the state average in knee (160 vs 47), near the state average in hip (35 vs 37).
Dr. Israelite's practice is heavily focused on knee replacement surgery, which accounts for 82% of reported Medicare volume.
Philadelphia is home to 30 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Philadelphia area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Israelite extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 129 to 195 in the most recent data, a 51% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,599 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Israelite's 160 verified procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45, ranking #137 nationally.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26 | 103 |
| 2014 | 34 | 114 |
| 2015 | 36 | 128 |
| 2016 | 39 | 143 |
| 2017 | 42 | 143 |
| 2018 | 45 | 146 |
| 2019 | 51 | 164 |
| 2020 | 46 | 111 |
| 2021 | 51 | 142 |
| 2022 | 51 | 145 |
| 2023 | 44 | 137 |
| 2024 | 35 | 160 |
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. Israelite Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Israelite's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 51% from 129 procedures in 2013 to 195 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.
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Israelite
How does Dr. Israelite's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Israelite has performed 195 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Pennsylvania average of 66 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Israelite ranks #20 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Israelite perform?
Dr. Israelite's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (160 cases) and hip replacement (35 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Israelite with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Israelite ranks #8 in Pennsylvania for knee replacement with 160 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 376 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Israelite 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. Israelite 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. Israelite's total volume across all insurers at roughly 680 to 840 procedures against the 195 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. Israelite's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Israelite's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 129 procedures in 2013 to 195 in the most recent data, a 51% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 215 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Israelite perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Israelite's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (160 cases), hip replacement (35 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Israelite affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Israelite is affiliated with Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Hospital Of Univ Of Pennsylvania, Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.
How does Dr. Israelite compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Philadelphia?
Among the 30 orthopedic surgeons in Philadelphia, Dr. Israelite ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Israelite is among the highest-volume surgeons in Philadelphia.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Israelite practices?
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Hospital Of Univ Of Pennsylvania (5 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital (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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dr. Israelite's 195 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. Christopher Melnic | 200 | 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.