#121 Hip
#255 Knee

Dr. Joseph Kromka, MD

Orthopedic Surgery
40 procedures 1 hospital Pittsburgh, PA
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Hip replacement recovery kit Essentials every patient wishes they bought first
National Comparison by Procedure
Hip 23 vs 36 avg (4,526 surgeons)
Knee 17 vs 45 avg (6,720 surgeons)

Dr. Joseph Kromka is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kromka has performed 23 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#121 in Pennsylvania) and 17 knee replacements, for a combined total of 40 procedures.

In Pennsylvania, Dr. Kromka performs below average in hip (23 vs 34 avg), below average in knee (17 vs 45 avg).

Dr. Kromka's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (23 cases) and knee replacements (17 cases).

Pittsburgh is home to 41 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Pittsburgh area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Dr. Kromka first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2023. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.

Dr. Kromka's 23 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,526 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.

Verified Medicare Cases

Hip Replacement
23 verified cases
#121 in Pennsylvania
Knee Replacement
17 verified cases
#255 in Pennsylvania
Estimated total: 110 – 120 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
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. Kromka Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.

Hip Below Avg
23 Avg: 34
Knee Below Avg
17 Avg: 45
Dr. Kromka Pennsylvania Average

Contact & Location

200 Delafield Rd Ste 1040
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
NPI: 1811486376
Credentials: MD
Active Medicare provider
Find Practice on Google Maps

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Upmc St Margaret
★★★☆☆
Pittsburgh, PA
Similar to national avg

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.

Hip Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:

Week 1-2 Walking with assistive device (walker or cane). Gentle range-of-motion exercises begin. Most patients can manage basic self-care.
Week 3-6 Transition to walking independently. Resume driving short distances. Physical therapy focuses on strength and balance.
Week 7-12 Return to most daily activities and light exercise. Stair climbing improves. Many patients return to desk work.
Month 4-6 Full recovery for most patients. Resume recreational activities, golf, swimming, and low-impact exercise.

Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Kromka

How does Dr. Kromka's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?

Dr. Kromka has performed 40 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Pennsylvania average is 63 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Kromka ranks #210 out of 388 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kromka perform?

Dr. Kromka's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (23 cases) and knee replacement (17 cases).

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kromka 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. Kromka 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. Kromka's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 40 procedures shown here.

Does Dr. Kromka perform more than one type of joint replacement?

Yes. Dr. Kromka's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (23 cases), knee replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.

Which hospitals is Dr. Kromka affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kromka is affiliated with Upmc St Margaret.

How does Dr. Kromka compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh?

Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, Dr. Kromka ranks #22 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Pittsburgh has 196 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kromka practices?

Upmc St Margaret (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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dr. Kromka's 40 Medicare procedures are below the Pittsburgh average of 105. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Pittsburgh.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. Bryce Braaksma 196 Hip, Knee
Dr. Michael Omalley 137 Hip, Knee
Dr. Michael Pagnotto 120 Hip, Knee
Dr. Julius Huebner 96 Hip, Knee
Dr. Paul Wilkie 74 Hip, Knee
Dr. Brian Klatt 71 Hip, Knee

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Joseph Kromka, MD -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/pa/dr-joseph-kromka-pittsburgh.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/pa/dr-joseph-kromka-pittsburgh.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.