Dr. Paul Becker, M.D.
Contact & Location
865-558-4400
Knoxville, TN 37922
Dr. Becker performs more knee replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #46 of 176 ranked knee surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Becker
Practice. Dr. Paul Becker is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Knoxville, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 58 knee replacements and 13 shoulder replacements, 71 procedures in all. That is #46 in Tennessee for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 44 procedures a year to 71, up 61%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 58 procedures is above 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44 | 0 |
| 2014 | 41 | 0 |
| 2015 | 33 | 0 |
| 2016 | 37 | 0 |
| 2017 | 40 | 0 |
| 2018 | 53 | 0 |
| 2019 | 44 | 0 |
| 2020 | 52 | 0 |
| 2021 | 47 | 0 |
| 2022 | 59 | 0 |
| 2023 | 58 | 0 |
| 2024 | 58 | 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 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. Becker Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Becker's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 61% from 44 procedures in 2013 to 71 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-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.
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. Becker
How does Dr. Becker's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Becker has performed 71 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Becker ranks #80 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Becker perform?
Dr. Becker's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (58 cases) and shoulder replacement (13 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Becker 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. Becker 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Becker's total volume across all insurers at roughly 240 to 300 procedures against the 71 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. Becker's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Becker's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 44 procedures in 2013 to 71 in the most recent data, a 61% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 71 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Becker perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Becker's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (58 cases), shoulder replacement (13 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Becker affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Becker is affiliated with Parkwest Medical Center, Morristown Hamblen Hospital Association, Tennova Healthcare Jefferson Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Becker compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville?
Among the 32 orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville, Dr. Becker ranks #15 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. Becker practices?
Parkwest Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Morristown Hamblen Hospital Association (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Tennova Healthcare Jefferson Memorial Hospital (2 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. Becker's 71 Medicare procedures are below the Knoxville average of 179. 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.