Dr. Brian Burnikel, M.D.
Contact & Location
864-454-7422
Greenville, SC 29615
Dr. Burnikel performs more knee replacement procedures than 95% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #6 of 120 ranked knee surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Burnikel
Practice. Dr. Brian Burnikel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Greenville, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 146 knee replacements and 97 hip replacements, 243 procedures in all. That is #6 in South Carolina for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 159 procedures a year to 243, up 53%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 146 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45. That is #193 nationally.
Local context. Greenville has 20 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 52 | 107 |
| 2014 | 63 | 94 |
| 2015 | 58 | 107 |
| 2016 | 86 | 105 |
| 2017 | 76 | 132 |
| 2018 | 68 | 116 |
| 2019 | 84 | 114 |
| 2020 | 65 | 103 |
| 2021 | 72 | 127 |
| 2022 | 86 | 125 |
| 2023 | 100 | 145 |
| 2024 | 97 | 146 |
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, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Burnikel Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Burnikel's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 53% from 159 procedures in 2013 to 243 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Burnikel
How does Dr. Burnikel's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Burnikel has performed 243 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the South Carolina average of 76 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Burnikel ranks #6 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Burnikel perform?
Dr. Burnikel's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (146 cases) and hip replacement (97 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Burnikel with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Burnikel ranks #6 in South Carolina for knee replacement with 146 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 158 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Burnikel in Greenville?
Yes. There are 20 orthopedic surgeons in Greenville 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. Burnikel 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Burnikel's total volume across all insurers at roughly 820 to 1,020 procedures against the 243 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. Burnikel's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Burnikel's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 159 procedures in 2013 to 243 in the most recent data, a 53% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 245 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Burnikel perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Burnikel's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (146 cases), hip replacement (97 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Burnikel affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Burnikel is affiliated with Prisma Health Patewood Hospital, St Francis-Downtown, Anmed Health, Self Regional Healthcare, Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Burnikel compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Greenville?
Among the 20 orthopedic surgeons in Greenville, Dr. Burnikel ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Burnikel is among the highest-volume surgeons in Greenville.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Burnikel practices?
Prisma Health Patewood Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Francis-Downtown (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Anmed Health (4 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 Greenville, South Carolina
Dr. Burnikel's 243 Medicare procedures are above the Greenville average of 168. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Greenville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. James Jennings | 260 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Dylan Watson | 165 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Stephen Ridgeway | 161 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Cameron | 129 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Stephen Finley | 124 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Stephen Geary | 96 | 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.