Dr. James Dalton, MD
Contact & Location
843-569-3367
N Charleston, SC 29406
Dr. Dalton performs more knee replacement procedures than 38% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #74 of 120 ranked knee surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Dalton
Dr. James Dalton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in N Charleston, South Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Dalton performed 35 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#74 in South Carolina) and 35 shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 70 procedures.
In South Carolina, Dr. Dalton performs below the state average in knee (35 vs 58), above the state average in shoulder (35 vs 29).
Dr. Dalton's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (35 cases) and shoulder replacements (35 cases).
N Charleston is home to 3 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the N Charleston area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Dalton extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 55 to 70 in the most recent data, a 27% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Dalton's 35 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 43 | 12 |
| 2014 | 36 | 21 |
| 2015 | 31 | 27 |
| 2016 | 63 | 25 |
| 2017 | 54 | 20 |
| 2018 | 48 | 27 |
| 2019 | 62 | 28 |
| 2020 | 43 | 20 |
| 2021 | 38 | 16 |
| 2022 | 37 | 30 |
| 2023 | 36 | 30 |
| 2024 | 35 | 35 |
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Dalton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Dalton's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 27% from 55 procedures in 2013 to 70 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. Dalton
How does Dr. Dalton's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Dalton has performed 70 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the South Carolina average of 76 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Dalton ranks #63 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Dalton perform?
Dr. Dalton's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (35 cases) and shoulder replacement (35 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Dalton in N Charleston?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in N Charleston 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. Dalton 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Dalton's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 270 procedures against the 70 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. Dalton's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Dalton's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 55 procedures in 2013 to 70 in the most recent data, a 27% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 90 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Dalton perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Dalton's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (35 cases), shoulder replacement (35 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Dalton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Dalton is affiliated with Trident Medical Center.
How does Dr. Dalton compare to other orthopedic surgeons in N Charleston?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in N Charleston, Dr. Dalton ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Dalton is among the highest-volume surgeons in N Charleston.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Dalton practices?
Trident 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 N Charleston, South Carolina
Dr. Dalton's 70 Medicare procedures are above the N Charleston average of 68. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in N Charleston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Gary Windler | 90 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Seth Kupferman | 44 | 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.