Dr. Paul Yau, M.D.
Contact & Location
865-524-5365
Knoxville, TN 37916
Sevierville, TN 37862
Dr. Yau performs more hip replacement procedures than 93% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #8 of 119 ranked hip surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Yau
Practice. Dr. Paul Yau is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Knoxville, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 89 hip replacements and 33 knee replacements, 122 procedures in all. That is #8 in Tennessee for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 122, up 917%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 89 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.
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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 0 |
| 2014 | 28 | 15 |
| 2015 | 33 | 0 |
| 2016 | 50 | 25 |
| 2017 | 73 | 20 |
| 2018 | 59 | 19 |
| 2019 | 108 | 14 |
| 2020 | 68 | 26 |
| 2021 | 99 | 28 |
| 2022 | 105 | 30 |
| 2023 | 88 | 45 |
| 2024 | 89 | 33 |
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. 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. Yau Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Yau's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 917% from 12 procedures in 2013 to 122 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Yau
How does Dr. Yau's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Yau has performed 122 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Yau ranks #28 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Yau perform?
Dr. Yau's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (89 cases) and knee replacement (33 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Yau with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Yau ranks #8 in Tennessee for hip replacement with 89 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 219 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Yau 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. Yau 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, which puts Dr. Yau's total volume across all insurers at roughly 390 to 500 procedures against the 122 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. Yau's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Yau's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2013 to 122 in the most recent data, a 917% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 135 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Yau perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Yau's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (89 cases), knee replacement (33 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Yau affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Yau is affiliated with Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Blount Memorial Hospital, Parkwest Medical Center, Roane Medical Center, Leconte Medical Center.
How does Dr. Yau compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville?
Among the 32 orthopedic surgeons in Knoxville, Dr. Yau ranks #7 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. Yau practices?
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center (3 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); Parkwest Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Knoxville, Tennessee
Dr. Yau's 122 Medicare procedures are below the Knoxville average of 187. 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.