#56 Hip
#103 Knee

Dr. Joshua Lawson, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery
53 procedures 3 hospitals Chattanooga, TN
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Hip replacement recovery kit Essentials every patient wishes they bought first
National Comparison by Procedure
Hip 27 vs 36 avg (4,526 surgeons)
Knee 26 vs 45 avg (6,720 surgeons)

Dr. Joshua Lawson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Lawson has performed 27 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#56 in Tennessee) and 26 knee replacements, for a combined total of 53 procedures.

In Tennessee, Dr. Lawson performs below average in hip (27 vs 36 avg), below average in knee (26 vs 45 avg).

Dr. Lawson's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (27 cases) and knee replacements (26 cases).

Chattanooga is home to 17 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Chattanooga area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Dr. Lawson first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2022. With 2 years of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.

Dr. Lawson's 27 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,526 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.

Verified Medicare Cases

Hip Replacement
27 verified cases
#56 in Tennessee
Knee Replacement
26 verified cases
#103 in Tennessee
Estimated total: 140 – 160 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
How is this estimated?

Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.

How Dr. Lawson Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.

Hip Below Avg
27 Avg: 36
Knee Below Avg
26 Avg: 45
Dr. Lawson Tennessee Average

Contact & Location

2339 Mccallie Ave Ste 406
Chattanooga, TN 37404
NPI: 1235472036
Credentials: M.D.
Active Medicare provider
Find Practice on Google Maps

Volume Trend Analysis

Dr. Lawson has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2022. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.

Years of Data 2
2023 Volume 53
Peak Volume 53 (2023)
Trend Developing

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Parkridge Medical Center
★★★☆☆
Chattanooga, TN
Similar to national avg
H
Memorial Healthcare System, Inc
★★★★☆
Chattanooga, TN
Similar to national avg
H
Rhea Medical Center
★★★☆☆
Dayton, TN

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.

Hip Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:

Week 1-2 Walking with assistive device (walker or cane). Gentle range-of-motion exercises begin. Most patients can manage basic self-care.
Week 3-6 Transition to walking independently. Resume driving short distances. Physical therapy focuses on strength and balance.
Week 7-12 Return to most daily activities and light exercise. Stair climbing improves. Many patients return to desk work.
Month 4-6 Full recovery for most patients. Resume recreational activities, golf, swimming, and low-impact exercise.

Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Lawson

How does Dr. Lawson's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?

Dr. Lawson has performed 53 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Tennessee average of 64 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Lawson ranks #96 out of 214 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Lawson perform?

Dr. Lawson's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (27 cases) and knee replacement (26 cases).

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Lawson in Chattanooga?

Yes. There are 17 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. Lawson represent?

The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Lawson's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 53 procedures shown here.

Does Dr. Lawson perform more than one type of joint replacement?

Yes. Dr. Lawson's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (27 cases), knee replacement (26 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.

Which hospitals is Dr. Lawson affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Lawson is affiliated with Parkridge Medical Center, Memorial Healthcare System, Inc, Rhea Medical Center.

How does Dr. Lawson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga?

Among the 17 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga, Dr. Lawson ranks #11 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Chattanooga has 345 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Lawson 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); Rhea Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.

Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Dr. Lawson's 53 Medicare procedures are below the Chattanooga average of 164. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chattanooga.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. William Ballard 345 Hip, Knee
Dr. John Nash 207 Hip, Knee
Dr. Matthew Higgins 173 Hip, Knee
Dr. Jason Rogers 136 Hip, Knee
Dr. Mark Freeman 122 Hip, Knee
Dr. Kristopher Sanders 115 Hip, Knee

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Joshua Lawson, M.D. -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/tn/dr-joshua-lawson-chattanooga.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/tn/dr-joshua-lawson-chattanooga.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.