Dr. David German, M.D.
Contact & Location
814-454-2401
Erie, PA 16502
Dr. German performs more knee replacement procedures than 61% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #120 of 308 ranked knee surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. German
Practice. Dr. David German is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Erie, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 41 knee replacements and 23 hip replacements, 64 procedures in all. That is #120 in Pennsylvania for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 24 procedures a year to 64, up 167%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 41 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Erie has 11 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 | 24 |
| 2014 | 0 | 12 |
| 2015 | 15 | 13 |
| 2016 | 15 | 21 |
| 2017 | 0 | 22 |
| 2018 | 22 | 30 |
| 2019 | 23 | 29 |
| 2020 | 11 | 30 |
| 2021 | 17 | 24 |
| 2022 | 23 | 35 |
| 2023 | 19 | 37 |
| 2024 | 23 | 41 |
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. German Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. German's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 167% from 24 procedures in 2013 to 64 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. German
How does Dr. German's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. German has performed 64 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Pennsylvania average of 66 procedures per surgeon. Dr. German ranks #127 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. German perform?
Dr. German's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (41 cases) and hip replacement (23 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. German in Erie?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Erie 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. German 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. German's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 270 procedures against the 64 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. German's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. German's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 24 procedures in 2013 to 64 in the most recent data, a 167% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 64 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. German perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. German's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (41 cases), hip replacement (23 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. German affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. German is affiliated with Saint Vincent Hospital, Lecom Medical Center And Behavioral Health Pav.
How does Dr. German compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Erie?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Erie, Dr. German ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. German is among the highest-volume surgeons in Erie.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. German practices?
Saint Vincent Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Lecom Medical Center And Behavioral Health Pav (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Erie, Pennsylvania
Dr. German's 64 Medicare procedures are above the Erie average of 53. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Erie.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Lupo | 144 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Nick Stefanovski | 55 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Delullo | 42 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Buseck | 33 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. D Williams | 18 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Jeffrey Nechleba | 17 | 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.