Dr. Thomas Whitman, M.D.
Contact & Location
423-844-6450
Bristol, TN 37620
Dr. Whitman performs more knee replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #43 of 176 ranked knee surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Whitman
Practice. Dr. Thomas Whitman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bristol, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 59 knee replacements and 19 hip replacements, 78 procedures in all. That is #43 in Tennessee for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 132 in 2019 and stands at 78 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 59 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Bristol has 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Whitman also holds hospital privileges in TN and VA, a practice that extends beyond Tennessee.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 51 |
| 2014 | 19 | 42 |
| 2015 | 17 | 64 |
| 2016 | 26 | 74 |
| 2017 | 23 | 85 |
| 2018 | 25 | 82 |
| 2019 | 19 | 113 |
| 2020 | 22 | 81 |
| 2021 | 23 | 74 |
| 2022 | 19 | 72 |
| 2023 | 19 | 63 |
| 2024 | 19 | 59 |
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. Whitman Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Whitman's recorded volume peaked at 132 procedures in 2019 and stood at 78 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Whitman
How does Dr. Whitman's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Whitman has performed 78 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Whitman ranks #68 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Whitman perform?
Dr. Whitman's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (59 cases) and hip replacement (19 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Whitman in Bristol?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Bristol 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. Whitman 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. Whitman's total volume across all insurers at roughly 270 to 330 procedures against the 78 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. Whitman's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Whitman's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 132 procedures in 2019 and was 78 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Whitman perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Whitman's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (59 cases), hip replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Whitman affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Whitman is affiliated with Bristol Regional Medical Center, Clinch Valley Medical Center, Smyth County Community Hospital, Johnston Memorial Hospital, Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital. Dr. Whitman maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Whitman compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bristol?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Bristol, Dr. Whitman ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Whitman has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Whitman practices?
Bristol Regional Medical Center (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Clinch Valley Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Smyth County Community Hospital (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 Bristol, Tennessee
Dr. Whitman's 78 Medicare procedures are above the Bristol average of 36. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bristol.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Gabriel Hommel | 41 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Carver | 34 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Clark | 26 | Shoulder |
| Dr. John Phillips | 20 | Knee |
| Dr. Tyler Duncan | 18 | 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.