Dr. Robert Friedman, M.D.
Contact & Location
910-296-8080
Kenansville, NC 28349
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Dr. Friedman performs more knee replacement procedures than 7% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #284 of 308 ranked knee surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Friedman
Practice. Dr. Robert Friedman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 14 knee replacements. That is #284 in Pennsylvania for knee replacement. Dr. Friedman also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 9 years. Volume peaked at 26 in 2018 and stands at 14 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 14 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Bethlehem has 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Friedman also holds hospital privileges in PA and NJ, a practice that extends beyond Pennsylvania.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 14 |
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. 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. Friedman Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Friedman's recorded volume peaked at 26 procedures in 2018 and stood at 14 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-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.
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. Friedman
How does Dr. Friedman's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Friedman has performed 14 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. Friedman ranks #346 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Friedman perform?
Dr. Friedman's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 14 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Where is Dr. Friedman's practice located?
Dr. Friedman's current practice address is in Kenansville, NC. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Friedman's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Friedman 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, which puts Dr. Friedman's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 14 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. Friedman's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Friedman's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 26 procedures in 2018 and was 14 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Friedman affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Friedman is affiliated with Lehigh Valley Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono, St Luke'S Hospital Bethlehem, St Luke'S Warren Hospital, St Luke'S Hospital - Monroe Campus. Dr. Friedman maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Friedman compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem, Dr. Friedman ranks #17 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. Friedman practices?
Lehigh Valley Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Luke'S Hospital Bethlehem (5 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 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Dr. Friedman's 14 Medicare procedures are below the Bethlehem average of 116. 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.