Dr. Christopher Kavolus, M.D.
Contact & Location
864-234-7654
Greenville, SC 29615
Dr. Kavolus 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: #72 of 120 ranked knee surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Kavolus
Practice. Dr. Christopher Kavolus is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Greenville, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 36 knee replacements and 14 hip replacements, 50 procedures in all. That is #72 in South Carolina for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 207 in 2014 and stands at 50 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 36 procedures is near the national average of 45.
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 | 53 | 141 |
| 2014 | 60 | 147 |
| 2015 | 52 | 115 |
| 2016 | 57 | 129 |
| 2017 | 50 | 95 |
| 2018 | 48 | 105 |
| 2019 | 46 | 87 |
| 2020 | 61 | 81 |
| 2021 | 35 | 60 |
| 2022 | 42 | 62 |
| 2023 | 30 | 44 |
| 2024 | 14 | 36 |
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. Kavolus Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kavolus's recorded volume peaked at 207 procedures in 2014 and stood at 50 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 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.
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.
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. Kavolus
How does Dr. Kavolus's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Kavolus has performed 50 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. Kavolus ranks #79 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kavolus perform?
Dr. Kavolus's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (36 cases) and hip replacement (14 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kavolus 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. Kavolus 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. Kavolus's total volume across all insurers at roughly 170 to 210 procedures against the 50 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. Kavolus's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Kavolus's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 207 procedures in 2014 and was 50 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.
Does Dr. Kavolus perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Kavolus's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (36 cases), hip replacement (14 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kavolus affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kavolus is affiliated with St Francis-Downtown, Cannon Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Kavolus compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Greenville?
Among the 20 orthopedic surgeons in Greenville, Dr. Kavolus ranks #13 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Greenville has 260 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kavolus practices?
St Francis-Downtown (3 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 Greenville, South Carolina
Dr. Kavolus's 50 Medicare procedures are below the Greenville average of 162. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Greenville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. James Jennings | 260 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Burnikel | 243 | 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 |
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.