Dr. Coleman Fowble, M.D.
Contact & Location
803-256-4107
Columbia, SC 29201
Dr. Fowble performs more hip replacement procedures than 84% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #12 of 76 ranked hip surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Fowble
Practice. Dr. Coleman Fowble is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Columbia, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 72 hip replacements and 28 knee replacements, 100 procedures in all. That is #12 in South Carolina for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 78 and 119 procedures a year.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 72 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.
Local context. Columbia has 14 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 | 76 | 26 |
| 2014 | 66 | 15 |
| 2015 | 84 | 35 |
| 2016 | 80 | 17 |
| 2017 | 52 | 29 |
| 2018 | 58 | 33 |
| 2019 | 53 | 29 |
| 2020 | 56 | 22 |
| 2021 | 69 | 37 |
| 2022 | 59 | 45 |
| 2023 | 74 | 45 |
| 2024 | 72 | 28 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Fowble Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Fowble's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 78 to 119 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
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.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Fowble
How does Dr. Fowble's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Fowble has performed 100 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the South Carolina average of 76 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Fowble ranks #40 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Fowble perform?
Dr. Fowble's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (72 cases) and knee replacement (28 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Fowble with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Fowble ranks #12 in South Carolina for hip replacement with 72 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 158 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Fowble in Columbia?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in Columbia 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. Fowble 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Fowble's total volume across all insurers at roughly 320 to 410 procedures against the 100 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. Fowble's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Fowble's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 78 to 119 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Fowble perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Fowble's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (72 cases), knee replacement (28 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Fowble affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Fowble is affiliated with Musc Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown, Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Musc Medical Center, Lexington Medical Center.
How does Dr. Fowble compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Columbia?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Columbia, Dr. Fowble ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Columbia has 205 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Fowble practices?
Musc Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Prisma Health Richland Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Musc Medical Center (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 Columbia, South Carolina
Dr. Fowble's 100 Medicare procedures are below the Columbia average of 120. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Columbia.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins | 205 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bradley Presnal | 175 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Slif Ulrich | 117 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James O'leary | 97 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Corey Hamilton | 83 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Douglas Schultz | 66 | 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.