Dr. Robert Lowery, M.D.
Contact & Location
843-853-3474
Charleston, SC 29401
Dr. Lowery performs more knee replacement procedures than 58% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #50 of 120 ranked knee surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Lowery
Practice. Dr. Robert Lowery is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Charleston, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 52 knee replacements and 11 hip replacements, 63 procedures in all. That is #50 in South Carolina for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 31 procedures a year to 63, up 103%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 52 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Charleston has 14 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 31 |
| 2014 | 0 | 38 |
| 2015 | 0 | 27 |
| 2016 | 17 | 30 |
| 2017 | 14 | 45 |
| 2018 | 17 | 40 |
| 2019 | 14 | 42 |
| 2020 | 12 | 34 |
| 2021 | 16 | 41 |
| 2022 | 12 | 44 |
| 2023 | 19 | 48 |
| 2024 | 11 | 52 |
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. Lowery Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Lowery's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 103% from 31 procedures in 2013 to 63 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA 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.
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. Lowery
How does Dr. Lowery's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Lowery has performed 63 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the South Carolina average of 76 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Lowery ranks #69 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Lowery perform?
Dr. Lowery's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (52 cases) and hip replacement (11 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Lowery 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. Lowery 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. Lowery's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 270 procedures against the 63 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. Lowery's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Lowery's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 31 procedures in 2013 to 63 in the most recent data, a 103% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 67 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Lowery perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Lowery's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (52 cases), hip replacement (11 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Lowery affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Lowery 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. Lowery compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Charleston?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Charleston, Dr. Lowery ranks #5 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. Lowery 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 Charleston, South Carolina
Dr. Lowery's 63 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. Josef Eichinger | 52 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Richard Friedman | 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.