Dr. Alejandro Verdugo, M.D.
Contact & Location
806-810-3610
Lubbock, TX 79424
Dr. Verdugo performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 52% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #66 of 140 ranked shoulder surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Verdugo
Practice. Dr. Alejandro Verdugo is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lubbock, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 22 shoulder replacements and 17 knee replacements, 39 procedures in all. That is #66 in Texas for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 39, up 200%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 22 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Lubbock has 11 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Verdugo also holds hospital privileges in TX and NM, a practice that extends beyond Texas.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 13 |
| 2016 | 0 | 23 |
| 2017 | 13 | 13 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 18 | 29 |
| 2020 | 18 | 21 |
| 2021 | 16 | 26 |
| 2022 | 25 | 22 |
| 2023 | 26 | 15 |
| 2024 | 17 | 22 |
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. Verdugo Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Verdugo's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 200% from 13 procedures in 2015 to 39 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:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Verdugo
How does Dr. Verdugo's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Verdugo has performed 39 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Texas average is 57 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Verdugo ranks #307 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Verdugo perform?
Dr. Verdugo's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (22 cases) and knee replacement (17 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Verdugo in Lubbock?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lubbock 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 Texas surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Verdugo 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. Verdugo's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 39 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. Verdugo's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Verdugo's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2015 to 39 in the most recent data, a 200% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 47 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Verdugo perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Verdugo's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (22 cases), knee replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Verdugo affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Verdugo is affiliated with Grace Surgical Hospital, Covenant Medical Center, Plains Regional Medical Center, Covenant Hospital Plainview. Dr. Verdugo maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Verdugo compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lubbock?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lubbock, Dr. Verdugo ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Lubbock has 282 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Verdugo practices?
Grace Surgical Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Covenant Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Plains Regional Medical Center (2 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 Lubbock, Texas
Dr. Verdugo's 39 Medicare procedures are below the Lubbock average of 119. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lubbock.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Shephard | 282 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jordan Simpson | 235 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Blue | 90 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Dylan Homen | 78 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Karl Pankratz | 70 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. George Brindley | 40 | 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.