Dr. Kurtis Kowalski, M.D.
Contact & Location
931-552-4340
Clarksville, TN 37043
Dr. Kowalski performs more hip replacement procedures than 42% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #69 of 119 ranked hip surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Kowalski
Practice. Dr. Kurtis Kowalski is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Clarksville, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 26 hip replacements, 24 knee replacements, and 13 shoulder replacements, 63 procedures in all. That is #69 in Tennessee for hip replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 23 procedures a year to 63, up 174%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 26 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Clarksville has 7 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 12 | 11 |
| 2017 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| 2018 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| 2021 | 18 | 20 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2023 | 21 | 19 | 0 |
| 2024 | 26 | 24 | 13 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 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. Kowalski Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kowalski's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 174% from 23 procedures in 2016 to 63 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
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.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
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. Kowalski
How does Dr. Kowalski's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Kowalski has performed 63 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Kowalski ranks #87 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kowalski perform?
Dr. Kowalski performs all three major joint replacement procedures: hip replacement (26 cases), knee replacement (24 cases), shoulder replacement (13 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kowalski in Clarksville?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in Clarksville 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. Kowalski 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Kowalski's total volume across all insurers at roughly 200 to 250 procedures against the 63 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. Kowalski's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Kowalski's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 23 procedures in 2016 to 63 in the most recent data, a 174% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 63 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Kowalski perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Kowalski's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (26 cases), knee replacement (24 cases), shoulder replacement (13 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Kowalski among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kowalski affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kowalski is affiliated with Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital, Tristar Northcrest Medical Center.
How does Dr. Kowalski compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Clarksville?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in Clarksville, Dr. Kowalski ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Kowalski has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kowalski practices?
Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Tristar Northcrest Medical Center (3 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 Clarksville, Tennessee
Dr. Kowalski's 63 Medicare procedures are above the Clarksville average of 29. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Clarksville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. William Devries | 37 | Knee |
| Dr. Tyler Morris | 35 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Lucas Teske | 28 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Alison Cabrera | 16 | Shoulder |
| Dr. William Beazley | 13 | Knee |
| Dr. Keith Starkweather | 12 | 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.