Dr. Gregory Polkowski, M.D.
Contact & Location
615-322-3000
Nashville, TN 37232
Dr. Polkowski performs more knee replacement procedures than 74% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #45 of 176 ranked knee surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Polkowski
Practice. Dr. Gregory Polkowski is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Nashville, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 58 knee replacements and 23 hip replacements, 81 procedures in all. That is #45 in Tennessee for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 144 in 2021 and stands at 81 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 58 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Nashville has 37 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 | 15 | 24 |
| 2014 | 31 | 44 |
| 2015 | 32 | 53 |
| 2016 | 47 | 42 |
| 2017 | 44 | 54 |
| 2018 | 50 | 69 |
| 2019 | 59 | 69 |
| 2020 | 42 | 61 |
| 2021 | 57 | 87 |
| 2022 | 33 | 46 |
| 2023 | 20 | 35 |
| 2024 | 23 | 58 |
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. Polkowski Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Polkowski's recorded volume peaked at 144 procedures in 2021 and stood at 81 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Polkowski
How does Dr. Polkowski's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Polkowski has performed 81 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Polkowski ranks #62 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Polkowski perform?
Dr. Polkowski's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (58 cases) and hip replacement (23 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Polkowski in Nashville?
Yes. There are 37 orthopedic surgeons in Nashville 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. Polkowski 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. Polkowski's total volume across all insurers at roughly 280 to 340 procedures against the 81 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. Polkowski's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Polkowski's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 144 procedures in 2021 and was 81 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Polkowski perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Polkowski's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (58 cases), hip replacement (23 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Polkowski affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Polkowski is affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
How does Dr. Polkowski compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Nashville?
Among the 37 orthopedic surgeons in Nashville, Dr. Polkowski ranks #17 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Nashville has 265 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Polkowski practices?
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (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 Nashville, Tennessee
Dr. Polkowski's 81 Medicare procedures are below the Nashville average of 148. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Nashville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Deboer | 265 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Hodrick | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gregory Raab | 151 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jefferson Morrison | 136 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wesley Mayes | 125 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Carpenter | 120 | 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.