Dr. Eric Heimberger, M.D.
Contact & Location
843-390-0100
Little River, SC 29566
Dr. Heimberger 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: #5 of 120 ranked knee surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Heimberger
Practice. Dr. Eric Heimberger is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Little River, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 153 knee replacements and 46 hip replacements, 199 procedures in all. That is #5 in South Carolina for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 117 procedures a year to 199, up 70%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 153 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45. That is #159 nationally.
Local context. Little River has 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Heimberger also holds hospital privileges in SC and NC, a practice that extends beyond South Carolina.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 27 | 78 | 12 |
| 2015 | 33 | 85 | 14 |
| 2016 | 31 | 115 | 0 |
| 2017 | 45 | 151 | 11 |
| 2018 | 46 | 164 | 18 |
| 2019 | 66 | 162 | 24 |
| 2020 | 42 | 132 | 11 |
| 2021 | 64 | 136 | 0 |
| 2022 | 67 | 149 | 0 |
| 2023 | 57 | 151 | 0 |
| 2024 | 46 | 153 | 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, 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. Heimberger Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Heimberger's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 70% from 117 procedures in 2014 to 199 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. Heimberger
How does Dr. Heimberger's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Heimberger has performed 199 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the South Carolina average of 76 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Heimberger ranks #10 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Heimberger perform?
Dr. Heimberger's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (153 cases) and hip replacement (46 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Heimberger with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Heimberger ranks #5 in South Carolina for knee replacement with 153 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 158 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Heimberger in Little River?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Little River 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. Heimberger 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. Heimberger's total volume across all insurers at roughly 690 to 850 procedures against the 199 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. Heimberger's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Heimberger's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 117 procedures in 2014 to 199 in the most recent data, a 70% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 252 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Heimberger perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Heimberger's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (153 cases), hip replacement (46 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Heimberger affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Heimberger is affiliated with Mcleod Loris Hospital, Conway Medical Center, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Mcleod Medical Center - Dillon. Dr. Heimberger maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Heimberger compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Little River?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Little River, Dr. Heimberger ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Heimberger has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Heimberger practices?
Mcleod Loris Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Conway Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Columbus Regional Healthcare System (1 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 Little River, South Carolina
Dr. Heimberger's 199 Medicare procedures are above the Little River average of 112. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Little River.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Walsh | 151 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Colin Canham | 55 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeremy McCallum | 42 | 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.