Dr. Christopher Pankiw, M.D.
Contact & Location
423-493-5220
Chattanooga, TN 37404
Dr. Pankiw performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 13% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #50 of 58 ranked shoulder surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Pankiw
Practice. Dr. Christopher Pankiw is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 13 shoulder replacements. That is #50 in Tennessee for shoulder replacement. Dr. Pankiw also holds credentials in Hand Surgery. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Dr. Pankiw first appears in the Medicare data in 2021. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 13 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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. Dr. Pankiw also holds hospital privileges in TN and GA, a practice that extends beyond Tennessee.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 11 procedures in 2021 and 13 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Pankiw Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Pankiw has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2021. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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:
Evidence-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.
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. Pankiw
How does Dr. Pankiw's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Pankiw has performed 13 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. Pankiw ranks #211 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Pankiw perform?
Dr. Pankiw's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 13 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Pankiw 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. Pankiw 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. Pankiw's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 40 procedures against the 13 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Pankiw affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Pankiw is affiliated with Parkridge Medical Center, Memorial Healthcare System, Inc, Hamilton Medical Center. Dr. Pankiw maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Pankiw compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga, Dr. Pankiw ranks #18 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. Pankiw practices?
Parkridge Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Memorial Healthcare System, Inc (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Hamilton Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dr. Pankiw's 13 Medicare procedures are below the Chattanooga average of 147. 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.