Dr. Brett Sanders, M.D.
Contact & Location
423-624-2696
Chattanooga, TN 37404
Dr. Sanders performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #14 of 58 ranked shoulder surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Sanders
Practice. Dr. Brett Sanders is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 48 shoulder replacements. That is #14 in Tennessee for shoulder replacement. Dr. Sanders also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 25 procedures a year to 48, up 92%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 48 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Chattanooga has 18 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 | 25 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2017 | 35 |
| 2018 | 48 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 68 |
| 2022 | 47 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2024 | 48 |
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. Sanders Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sanders's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 92% from 25 procedures in 2013 to 48 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 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.
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. Sanders
How does Dr. Sanders's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Sanders has performed 48 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Tennessee average is 65 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Sanders ranks #114 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sanders perform?
Dr. Sanders's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 48 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Sanders with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Sanders ranks #14 in Tennessee for shoulder replacement with 48 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 219 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sanders in Chattanooga?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga 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 Tennessee surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Sanders 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. Sanders's total volume across all insurers at roughly 130 to 170 procedures against the 48 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. Sanders's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Sanders's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 25 procedures in 2013 to 48 in the most recent data, a 92% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 68 procedures in 2021.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sanders affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sanders is affiliated with Memorial Healthcare System, Inc.
How does Dr. Sanders compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga, Dr. Sanders ranks #14 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Chattanooga has 311 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sanders practices?
Memorial Healthcare System, Inc (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 Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dr. Sanders's 48 Medicare procedures are below the Chattanooga average of 152. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chattanooga.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. William Ballard | 311 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Nash | 200 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Higgins | 171 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kristopher Sanders | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jason Rogers | 105 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Freeman | 96 | Hip, 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.