Dr. James MacDougall, M.D.
Contact & Location
605-226-2663
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Dr. MacDougall performs more knee replacement procedures than 66% of orthopedic surgeons in South Dakota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #16 of 48 ranked knee surgeons in South Dakota.
About Dr. MacDougall
Practice. Dr. James MacDougall is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The latest annual CMS data records 40 knee replacements and 15 hip replacements, 55 procedures in all. That is #16 in South Dakota for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 22 and 55 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 40 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Aberdeen 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 32 |
| 2014 | 11 | 19 |
| 2015 | 11 | 31 |
| 2016 | 0 | 22 |
| 2017 | 12 | 32 |
| 2018 | 0 | 22 |
| 2019 | 0 | 34 |
| 2020 | 0 | 28 |
| 2021 | 0 | 41 |
| 2022 | 13 | 24 |
| 2023 | 20 | 22 |
| 2024 | 15 | 40 |
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. MacDougall Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Dakota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. MacDougall's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 22 to 55 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. MacDougall
How does Dr. MacDougall's procedure volume compare to other South Dakota surgeons?
Dr. MacDougall has performed 55 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The South Dakota average is 70 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. MacDougall ranks #28 out of 52 orthopedic surgeons in South Dakota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. MacDougall perform?
Dr. MacDougall's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (40 cases) and hip replacement (15 cases).
How experienced is Dr. MacDougall with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. MacDougall ranks #16 in South Dakota for knee replacement with 40 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 52 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. MacDougall in Aberdeen?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Aberdeen 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 Dakota surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. MacDougall 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. MacDougall's total volume across all insurers at roughly 190 to 230 procedures against the 55 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. MacDougall's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. MacDougall's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 22 to 55 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. MacDougall perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. MacDougall's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (40 cases), hip replacement (15 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. MacDougall affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. MacDougall is affiliated with Avera St Lukes, Prairie Lakes Hospital, Community Memorial Hospital, Mobridge Regional Hospital - Cah, Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center.
How does Dr. MacDougall compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Aberdeen?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Aberdeen, Dr. MacDougall ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. MacDougall is among the highest-volume surgeons in Aberdeen.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. MacDougall practices?
Avera St Lukes (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Prairie Lakes Hospital (4 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota
Dr. MacDougall's 55 Medicare procedures are above the Aberdeen average of 48. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Aberdeen.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Matthew Reynen | 88 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Miller | 37 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Dalton McDaniel | 13 | 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.