Dr. Christopher Pokabla, M.D.
Contact & Location
901-381-4664
Bartlett, TN 38133
Germantown, TN 38138
Memphis, TN 38117
Germantown, TN 38138
Dr. Pokabla performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 81% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #11 of 58 ranked shoulder surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Pokabla
Practice. Dr. Christopher Pokabla is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bartlett, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 52 shoulder replacements. That is #11 in Tennessee for shoulder replacement. Dr. Pokabla also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 22 procedures a year to 52, up 136%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 52 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Bartlett 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2024 | 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 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. Pokabla Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Pokabla's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 136% from 22 procedures in 2013 to 52 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Pokabla
How does Dr. Pokabla's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Pokabla has performed 52 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Pokabla ranks #106 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Pokabla perform?
Dr. Pokabla's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 52 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Pokabla with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Pokabla ranks #11 in Tennessee for shoulder replacement with 52 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 219 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Pokabla in Bartlett?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Bartlett 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. Pokabla 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. Pokabla's total volume across all insurers at roughly 140 to 180 procedures against the 52 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. Pokabla's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Pokabla's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 22 procedures in 2013 to 52 in the most recent data, a 136% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 52 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Pokabla affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Pokabla is affiliated with Saint Francis Bartlett Medical Center, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Methodist Hospitals Of Memphis, Baptist Memorial Hospital Tipton.
How does Dr. Pokabla compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bartlett?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Bartlett, Dr. Pokabla ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Bartlett has 79 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Pokabla practices?
Saint Francis Bartlett Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Baptist Memorial Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Methodist Hospitals Of Memphis (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 Bartlett, Tennessee
Dr. Pokabla's 52 Medicare procedures are below the Bartlett average of 66. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bartlett.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Ferguson | 79 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jean Simard | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Stephen Waggoner | 57 | 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.