Dr. Gregory Palutsis, M.D.
Contact & Location
843-413-6835
Florence, SC 29505
Dr. Palutsis performs more knee replacement procedures than 37% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #75 of 120 ranked knee surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Palutsis
Practice. Dr. Gregory Palutsis is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Florence, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 34 knee replacements. That is #75 in South Carolina for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 11 years. Volume has held between 15 and 57 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 34 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Florence 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 | 40 | 0 |
| 2014 | 42 | 15 |
| 2015 | 22 | 17 |
| 2016 | 30 | 20 |
| 2017 | 39 | 14 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 28 | 0 |
| 2020 | 15 | 0 |
| 2021 | 26 | 0 |
| 2022 | 38 | 0 |
| 2023 | 34 | 0 |
| 2024 | 34 | 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. Palutsis Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Palutsis's procedure volume has been consistent across 11 years of Medicare data, ranging from 15 to 57 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 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.
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.
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. Palutsis
How does Dr. Palutsis's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Palutsis has performed 34 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. Palutsis ranks #105 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Palutsis perform?
Dr. Palutsis's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 34 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Palutsis in Florence?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Florence 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. Palutsis 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. Palutsis's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 34 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. Palutsis's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Palutsis's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 11 years of Medicare data, ranging from 15 to 57 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Palutsis affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Palutsis is affiliated with Musc Health Florence Medical Center, Musc Health Marion Medical Center, Mcleod Regional Medical Center-Pee Dee, Musc Medical Center.
How does Dr. Palutsis compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Florence?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Florence, Dr. Palutsis ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Florence has 173 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Palutsis practices?
Musc Health Florence Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Musc Health Marion Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Mcleod Regional Medical Center-Pee Dee (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 Florence, South Carolina
Dr. Palutsis's 34 Medicare procedures are below the Florence average of 95. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Florence.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Chad Thurman | 173 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Denton | 136 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Rodney Alan | 105 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Zachary Dipaolo | 27 | 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.