Dr. Timothy Walker, M.D.
Contact & Location
605-331-5890
Tea, SD 57064
Dr. Walker performs more knee replacement procedures than 95% of orthopedic surgeons in South Dakota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #2 of 48 ranked knee surgeons in South Dakota.
About Dr. Walker
Practice. Dr. Timothy Walker is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The latest annual CMS data records 107 knee replacements and 46 hip replacements, 153 procedures in all. That is #2 in South Dakota for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 101 procedures a year to 153, up 51%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 107 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Sioux Falls has 22 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Walker also holds hospital privileges in SD and MN, a practice that extends beyond South Dakota.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 40 | 61 |
| 2014 | 30 | 58 |
| 2015 | 44 | 71 |
| 2016 | 34 | 77 |
| 2017 | 49 | 77 |
| 2018 | 55 | 111 |
| 2019 | 82 | 100 |
| 2020 | 53 | 94 |
| 2021 | 92 | 127 |
| 2022 | 58 | 117 |
| 2023 | 61 | 103 |
| 2024 | 46 | 107 |
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. Walker Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Dakota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Walker's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 51% from 101 procedures in 2013 to 153 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Walker
How does Dr. Walker's procedure volume compare to other South Dakota surgeons?
Dr. Walker has performed 153 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the South Dakota average of 70 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Walker ranks #4 out of 52 orthopedic surgeons in South Dakota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Walker perform?
Dr. Walker's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (107 cases) and hip replacement (46 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Walker with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Walker ranks #2 in South Dakota for knee replacement with 107 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 52 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Where is Dr. Walker's practice located?
Dr. Walker's current practice address is in Tea, SD. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Walker's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Walker 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. Walker's total volume across all insurers at roughly 520 to 650 procedures against the 153 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. Walker's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Walker's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 101 procedures in 2013 to 153 in the most recent data, a 51% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 219 procedures in 2021.
Does Dr. Walker perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Walker's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (107 cases), hip replacement (46 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Walker affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Walker is affiliated with Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital Llp, Sanford Usd Medical Center, Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Hendricks Community Hospital. Dr. Walker maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Walker compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Sioux Falls?
Among the 22 orthopedic surgeons in Sioux Falls, Dr. Walker ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Sioux Falls has 340 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Walker practices?
Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital Llp (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sanford Usd Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health 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 Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Dr. Walker's 153 Medicare procedures are below the Sioux Falls average of 167. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Sioux Falls.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Adler | 340 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Corey Rothrock | 209 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Travis Liddell | 157 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Carl Bechtold | 122 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joshua Johnson | 97 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jason Hurd | 89 | 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.