Dr. Brian Blair, M.D.
Contact & Location
843-294-1941
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Dr. Blair performs more knee replacement procedures than 40% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #71 of 120 ranked knee surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Blair
Practice. Dr. Brian Blair is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 37 knee replacements. That is #71 in South Carolina for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 10 years. Volume rose from 31 procedures a year to 37, up 19%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 37 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Murrells Inlet has 5 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 17 |
| 2016 | 26 | 12 |
| 2017 | 26 | 23 |
| 2018 | 29 | 15 |
| 2019 | 40 | 22 |
| 2020 | 33 | 13 |
| 2021 | 30 | 14 |
| 2022 | 35 | 17 |
| 2023 | 33 | 0 |
| 2024 | 37 | 0 |
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. Blair Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Blair's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 19% from 31 procedures in 2015 to 37 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. Blair
How does Dr. Blair's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Blair has performed 37 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. Blair ranks #100 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Blair perform?
Dr. Blair's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 37 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Blair in Murrells Inlet?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Murrells Inlet 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. Blair 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. Blair's total volume across all insurers at roughly 130 to 160 procedures against the 37 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. Blair's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Blair's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 31 procedures in 2015 to 37 in the most recent data, a 19% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 62 procedures in 2019.
Which hospitals is Dr. Blair affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Blair is affiliated with Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital, Tidelands Health.
How does Dr. Blair compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Murrells Inlet?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Murrells Inlet, Dr. Blair ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Murrells Inlet has 214 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Blair practices?
Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Tidelands Health (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Dr. Blair's 37 Medicare procedures are below the Murrells Inlet average of 86. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Murrells Inlet.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Bohan | 214 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Single | 98 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Greer | 44 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Edward Mikol | 38 | Knee, 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.