Dr. Brent Ponce, M.D.
Contact & Location
843-792-1414
Charleston, SC 29425
Dr. Ponce performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 47% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #28 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Ponce
Practice. Dr. Brent Ponce is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Charleston, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 22 shoulder replacements. That is #28 in South Carolina for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 47 in 2015 and stands at 22 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 22 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Charleston has 14 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Ponce also holds hospital privileges in SC and GA and AL, a practice that extends beyond South Carolina.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 47 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 37 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 44 |
| 2023 | 47 |
| 2024 | 22 |
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. Ponce Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in South Carolina
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ponce's recorded volume peaked at 47 procedures in 2015 and stood at 22 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A 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.
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. Ponce
How does Dr. Ponce's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Ponce has performed 22 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The South Carolina average is 76 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Ponce ranks #120 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ponce perform?
Dr. Ponce's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 22 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ponce in Charleston?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in Charleston 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 South Carolina surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Ponce 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. Ponce's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 80 procedures against the 22 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. Ponce's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Ponce's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 47 procedures in 2015 and was 22 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. Ponce affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ponce is affiliated with Musc Medical Center, Memorial Health Meadows Hospital, Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital. Dr. Ponce maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Ponce compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Charleston?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Charleston, Dr. Ponce ranks #11 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Charleston has 177 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ponce practices?
Musc Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Memorial Health Meadows Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital (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 Charleston, South Carolina
Dr. Ponce's 22 Medicare procedures are below the Charleston average of 89. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Charleston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Patrick Murray | 177 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Erik Hansen | 114 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Harry Demos | 100 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Stem | 93 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Lowery | 63 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Josef Eichinger | 52 | 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.