Dr. Lee Sasala, M.D.
Contact & Location
412-782-3990
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Dr. Sasala performs more hip replacement procedures than 45% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #113 of 208 ranked hip surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Sasala
Practice. Dr. Lee Sasala is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 26 hip replacements and 17 knee replacements, 43 procedures in all. That is #113 in Pennsylvania for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2015.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 5 years. Volume has held between 13 and 45 procedures a year.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 26 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 25 | 20 |
| 2021 | 28 | 17 |
| 2022 | 13 | 0 |
| 2023 | 20 | 0 |
| 2024 | 26 | 17 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Sasala Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sasala's procedure volume has been consistent across 5 years of Medicare data, ranging from 13 to 45 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
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. Sasala
How does Dr. Sasala's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Sasala has performed 43 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. Sasala ranks #203 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sasala perform?
Dr. Sasala's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (26 cases) and knee replacement (17 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sasala 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. Sasala 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Sasala's total volume across all insurers at roughly 140 to 180 procedures against the 43 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. Sasala's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Sasala's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 5 years of Medicare data, ranging from 13 to 45 procedures per year between 2020 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Sasala perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sasala's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (26 cases), knee replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sasala affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sasala is affiliated with Upmc St Margaret, Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside.
How does Dr. Sasala compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, Dr. Sasala ranks #25 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. Sasala practices?
Upmc St Margaret (3 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). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dr. Sasala's 43 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.