Dr. James Demarco, M.D.
Contact & Location
843-884-0302
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Dr. Demarco performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 52% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #25 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Demarco
Practice. Dr. James Demarco is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 24 shoulder replacements. That is #25 in South Carolina for shoulder replacement. Dr. Demarco also holds credentials in Internal Medicine, Sports Medicine.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 10 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 24, up 100%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 24 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Mount Pleasant has 4 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 24 |
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 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. Demarco Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in South Carolina
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Demarco's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 100% from 12 procedures in 2013 to 24 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Demarco
How does Dr. Demarco's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Demarco has performed 24 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. Demarco ranks #116 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Demarco perform?
Dr. Demarco's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 24 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Demarco in Mount Pleasant?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Mount Pleasant 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. Demarco 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Demarco's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 80 procedures against the 24 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. Demarco's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Demarco's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2013 to 24 in the most recent data, a 100% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 24 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Demarco affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Demarco is affiliated with Roper Hospital, Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital, Mount Pleasant Hospital, Musc Medical Center, Roper St Francis Hospital-Berkely Inc.
How does Dr. Demarco compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Mount Pleasant?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Mount Pleasant, Dr. Demarco ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Demarco is among the highest-volume surgeons in Mount Pleasant.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Demarco practices?
Roper Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars); Mount Pleasant Hospital (5 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 Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Dr. Demarco's 24 Medicare procedures are below the Mount Pleasant average of 68. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Mount Pleasant.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Hay | 116 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Dustin Hambright | 114 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Estes | 16 | 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.