Dr. Richard Friedman, MD
Contact & Location
843-792-1414
Charleston, SC 29425
Dr. Friedman performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #13 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Friedman
Dr. Richard Friedman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Charleston, South Carolina. A Medicare provider since 2005, Dr. Friedman performed 42 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #13 in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, Dr. Friedman performs above the state average in shoulder (42 vs 29).
Dr. Friedman's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 42 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Charleston is home to 14 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Charleston area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Friedman's Medicare data spans 12 years, beginning in 2013. Volume peaked at 99 procedures in 2018 before settling at 42 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Friedman's 42 verified procedures is above the national average of 29.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 15 | 28 | 23 |
| 2014 | 16 | 26 | 31 |
| 2015 | 0 | 21 | 39 |
| 2016 | 0 | 33 | 39 |
| 2017 | 0 | 54 | 41 |
| 2018 | 0 | 66 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 49 | 36 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 | 33 |
| 2021 | 0 | 27 | 35 |
| 2022 | 0 | 37 | 36 |
| 2023 | 0 | 13 | 55 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
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. Friedman Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Friedman's recorded volume peaked at 99 procedures in 2018 and stood at 42 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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 practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
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.
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. Friedman
How does Dr. Friedman's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Friedman has performed 42 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. Friedman ranks #93 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Friedman perform?
Dr. Friedman's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 42 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Friedman with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Friedman ranks #13 in South Carolina for shoulder replacement with 42 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 158 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Friedman in Charleston?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in 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. Friedman 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. Friedman's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 42 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. Friedman's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Friedman's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 99 procedures in 2018 and was 42 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Friedman affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Friedman is affiliated with Musc Medical Center.
How does Dr. Friedman compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Charleston?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Charleston, Dr. Friedman ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Charleston has 177 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Friedman practices?
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 Charleston, South Carolina
Dr. Friedman's 42 Medicare procedures are below the Charleston average of 92. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Charleston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Patrick Murray | 177 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Erik Hansen | 114 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Harry Demos | 100 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Stem | 93 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Lowery | 63 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Josef Eichinger | 52 | 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.