Dr. Thomas Ellis, D.O.
Contact & Location
814-231-2101
State College, PA 16801
Dr. Ellis performs more knee replacement procedures than 76% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #72 of 308 ranked knee surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Ellis
Dr. Thomas Ellis is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in State College, Pennsylvania. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Ellis performed 65 Medicare-verified knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #72 in Pennsylvania.
In Pennsylvania, Dr. Ellis performs above the state average in knee (65 vs 47).
Dr. Ellis's Medicare data shows a focused knee replacement practice with 65 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.
State College is home to 7 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the State College area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Ellis extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 42 to 65 in the most recent data, a 55% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Ellis's 65 verified procedures is above the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 46 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 67 |
| 2019 | 49 |
| 2020 | 42 |
| 2021 | 49 |
| 2022 | 74 |
| 2023 | 72 |
| 2024 | 65 |
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. Ellis Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ellis's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 55% from 42 procedures in 2013 to 65 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.
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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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. Ellis
How does Dr. Ellis's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Ellis has performed 65 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Pennsylvania average of 66 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Ellis ranks #126 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ellis perform?
Dr. Ellis's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 65 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ellis in State College?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in State College 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. Ellis 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. Ellis's total volume across all insurers at roughly 230 to 280 procedures against the 65 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. Ellis's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Ellis's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 42 procedures in 2013 to 65 in the most recent data, a 55% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 74 procedures in 2022.
Which hospitals is Dr. Ellis affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ellis is affiliated with Penn Highlands Dubois, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Mount Nittany Medical Center, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Brookville.
How does Dr. Ellis compare to other orthopedic surgeons in State College?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in State College, Dr. Ellis ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in State College has 125 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ellis practices?
Penn Highlands Dubois (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Penn Highlands Huntingdon (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Mount Nittany Medical Center (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 State College, Pennsylvania
Dr. Ellis's 65 Medicare procedures are above the State College average of 64. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in State College.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Brian Spencer | 125 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. James Martin | 96 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kenneth Cherry | 94 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Edwin Rogusky | 41 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli | 14 | Knee |
| Dr. Scott Eisenhuth | 13 | Shoulder |
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.