Dr. Michael Kern, M.D.
Contact & Location
865-546-2663
Knoxville, TN 37920
Knoxville, TN 37920
Dr. Kern performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 20% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #46 of 58 ranked shoulder surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Kern
Practice. Dr. Michael Kern is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Knoxville, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 14 shoulder replacements and 13 knee replacements, 27 procedures in all. That is #46 in Tennessee for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2012.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume rose from 20 procedures a year to 27, up 35%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 14 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 20 |
| 2023 | 17 | 17 |
| 2024 | 13 | 14 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Kern Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kern's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 35% from 20 procedures in 2022 to 27 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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 Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Kern
How does Dr. Kern's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Kern has performed 27 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Tennessee average is 65 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Kern ranks #156 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kern perform?
Dr. Kern's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (14 cases) and knee replacement (13 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kern 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. Kern 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Kern's total volume across all insurers at roughly 80 to 100 procedures against the 27 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. Kern's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Kern's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 20 procedures in 2022 to 27 in the most recent data, a 35% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 34 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Kern perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Kern's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (14 cases), knee replacement (13 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kern affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kern is affiliated with University Of Tn Medical Center (The), Blount Memorial Hospital, Leconte Medical Center.
How does Dr. Kern compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville?
Among the 32 orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville, Dr. Kern ranks #25 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. Kern practices?
University Of Tn Medical Center (The) (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Blount Memorial Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Leconte 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. Kern's 27 Medicare procedures are below the Knoxville average of 173. 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. Harold Cates | 145 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Dilworth | 141 | 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.