Dr. Thomas Hughes, M.D.
Contact & Location
412-748-7412
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Dr. Hughes performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 57% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #40 of 95 ranked shoulder surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Hughes
Practice. Dr. Thomas Hughes is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 25 shoulder replacements. That is #40 in Pennsylvania for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 25, up 108%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 25 procedures is near the national average of 29.
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. Dr. Hughes also holds hospital privileges in OH and PA and WV, a practice that extends beyond Pennsylvania.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 25 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Hughes Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in Pennsylvania
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hughes's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 108% from 12 procedures in 2016 to 25 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Hughes
How does Dr. Hughes's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Hughes has performed 25 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. Hughes ranks #287 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hughes perform?
Dr. Hughes's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 25 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hughes 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. Hughes 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Hughes's total volume across all insurers at roughly 70 to 90 procedures against the 25 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. Hughes's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Hughes's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2016 to 25 in the most recent data, a 108% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 25 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hughes affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hughes is affiliated with Trinity Medical Ctr East &Trinity Medical Ctr West, Upmc Passavant, Upmc East, Weirton Medical Center, Inc, Independence Health System Westmoreland Hospital. Dr. Hughes maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Hughes compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, Dr. Hughes ranks #32 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. Hughes practices?
Trinity Medical Ctr East &Trinity Medical Ctr West (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Upmc Passavant (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Upmc East (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. Hughes's 25 Medicare procedures are below the Pittsburgh average of 105. 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.