Dr. Harold Cates, M.D.
Contact & Location
865-690-4861
Knoxville, TN 37923
Dr. Cates performs more knee replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #14 of 176 ranked knee surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Cates
Practice. Dr. Harold Cates is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Knoxville, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 103 knee replacements and 42 hip replacements, 145 procedures in all. That is #14 in Tennessee for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 228 in 2019 and stands at 145 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 103 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Knoxville has 32 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 | 76 | 144 |
| 2014 | 54 | 115 |
| 2015 | 62 | 129 |
| 2016 | 63 | 155 |
| 2017 | 49 | 135 |
| 2018 | 69 | 112 |
| 2019 | 76 | 152 |
| 2020 | 63 | 118 |
| 2021 | 63 | 113 |
| 2022 | 54 | 119 |
| 2023 | 58 | 115 |
| 2024 | 42 | 103 |
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. Cates Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Cates's recorded volume peaked at 228 procedures in 2019 and stood at 145 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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.
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. Cates
How does Dr. Cates's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Cates has performed 145 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Cates ranks #19 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Cates perform?
Dr. Cates's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (103 cases) and hip replacement (42 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Cates with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Cates ranks #14 in Tennessee for knee replacement with 103 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 219 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Cates in Knoxville?
Yes. There are 32 orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville 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. Cates 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. Cates's total volume across all insurers at roughly 500 to 620 procedures against the 145 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. Cates's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Cates's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 228 procedures in 2019 and was 145 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. Cates perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Cates's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (103 cases), hip replacement (42 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Cates affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Cates is affiliated with Parkwest Medical Center, Fort Loudon Medical Center, Roane Medical Center, Blount Memorial Hospital, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
How does Dr. Cates compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville?
Among the 32 orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville, Dr. Cates ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Knoxville has 386 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Cates practices?
Parkwest Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Fort Loudon Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars); Roane Medical Center (4 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 Knoxville, Tennessee
Dr. Cates's 145 Medicare procedures are below the Knoxville average of 187. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Knoxville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Herman Botero | 386 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Conrad Ivie | 183 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Nadaud | 173 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Sherrell | 156 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Dilworth | 141 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Paul Yau | 122 | 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.