Dr. Gregory Carolan, MD
Contact & Location
484-526-1735
Bethlehem, PA 18015
About Dr. Carolan
Dr. Gregory Carolan is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Carolan performed 55 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #9 in Pennsylvania.
In Pennsylvania, Dr. Carolan performs above the state average in shoulder (55 vs 28).
Dr. Carolan's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 55 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Bethlehem is home to 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Bethlehem area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Carolan extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 19 to 55 in the most recent data, a 189% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 2,213 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Carolan's 55 verified procedures is above the national average of 29.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 32 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2020 | 38 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2024 | 55 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Carolan Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Carolan's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 189% from 19 procedures in 2013 to 55 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. Carolan
How does Dr. Carolan's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Carolan has performed 55 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Pennsylvania average of 66 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Carolan ranks #159 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Carolan perform?
Dr. Carolan's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 55 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Carolan with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Carolan ranks #9 in Pennsylvania for shoulder replacement with 55 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 376 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Carolan in Bethlehem?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem 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. Carolan represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Carolan's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 55 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Carolan's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Carolan's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 19 procedures in 2013 to 55 in the most recent data, a 189% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 55 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Carolan affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Carolan is affiliated with St Luke'S Hospital Bethlehem, St Luke'S Hospital - Upper Bucks Campus, St Luke'S Miners Memorial Hospital, St Luke'S Hospital - Monroe Campus, St Luke'S Hospital - Carbon Campus.
How does Dr. Carolan compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem, Dr. Carolan ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Bethlehem has 258 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Carolan practices?
St Luke'S Hospital Bethlehem (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Luke'S Hospital - Upper Bucks Campus (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Luke'S Miners Memorial Hospital (4 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 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Dr. Carolan's 55 Medicare procedures are below the Bethlehem average of 122. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bethlehem.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Thomas Meade | 258 | Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Brogle | 159 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Ferrante | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chinenye Nwachuku | 116 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Konopitski | 66 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wayne Luchetti | 61 | 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.