Dr. Mark Freeman, M.D.
Contact & Location
423-624-6584
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Dr. Freeman performs more knee replacement procedures than 80% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #35 of 176 ranked knee surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Freeman
Practice. Dr. Mark Freeman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 66 knee replacements and 30 hip replacements, 96 procedures in all. That is #35 in Tennessee for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 77 procedures a year to 96, up 25%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 66 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Chattanooga has 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Freeman also holds hospital privileges in TN and NC and GA, a practice that extends beyond Tennessee.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 34 | 43 |
| 2014 | 36 | 40 |
| 2015 | 39 | 63 |
| 2016 | 37 | 61 |
| 2017 | 47 | 61 |
| 2018 | 45 | 45 |
| 2019 | 38 | 62 |
| 2020 | 19 | 58 |
| 2021 | 15 | 54 |
| 2022 | 34 | 51 |
| 2023 | 37 | 85 |
| 2024 | 30 | 66 |
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. Freeman Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Freeman's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 25% from 77 procedures in 2013 to 96 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 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Freeman
How does Dr. Freeman's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Freeman has performed 96 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Freeman ranks #45 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Freeman perform?
Dr. Freeman's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (66 cases) and hip replacement (30 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Freeman in Chattanooga?
Yes. There are 18 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. Freeman 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. Freeman's total volume across all insurers at roughly 330 to 410 procedures against the 96 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. Freeman's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Freeman's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 77 procedures in 2013 to 96 in the most recent data, a 25% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 122 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Freeman perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Freeman's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (66 cases), hip replacement (30 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Freeman affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Freeman is affiliated with Erlanger Health System, Erlanger Murphy Medical Center, Adventhealth Murray. Dr. Freeman maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Freeman compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga, Dr. Freeman ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Chattanooga has 311 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Freeman practices?
Erlanger Health System (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Erlanger Murphy Medical Center (1 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Adventhealth Murray (5 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. Freeman's 96 Medicare procedures are below the Chattanooga average of 157. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chattanooga.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. William Ballard | 311 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Nash | 200 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Higgins | 171 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kristopher Sanders | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jason Rogers | 105 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Bernard | 84 | 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.