Dr. Andrew Hester, M.D.
Contact & Location
903-939-7500
Tyler, TX 75701
Athens, TX 75751
Longview, TX 75604
Dr. Hester performs more knee replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #37 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Hester
Practice. Dr. Andrew Hester is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Tyler, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 99 knee replacements and 81 hip replacements, 180 procedures in all. That is #37 in Texas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume rose from 30 procedures a year to 180, up 500%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 99 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Tyler has 15 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 | 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 | 12 | 18 |
| 2023 | 57 | 100 |
| 2024 | 81 | 99 |
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. Hester Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hester's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 500% from 30 procedures in 2022 to 180 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.
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.
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. Hester
How does Dr. Hester's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Hester has performed 180 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Texas average of 57 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Hester ranks #20 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hester perform?
Dr. Hester's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (99 cases) and hip replacement (81 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hester in Tyler?
Yes. There are 15 orthopedic surgeons in Tyler 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. Hester 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. Hester's total volume across all insurers at roughly 600 to 750 procedures against the 180 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. Hester's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Hester's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 30 procedures in 2022 to 180 in the most recent data, a 500% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 180 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Hester perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Hester's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (99 cases), hip replacement (81 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hester affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hester is affiliated with Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital, Ut Health East Texas Tyler Regional Hospital, Ut Health East Texas Athens Hospital, Christus Mother Frances Hospital, Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center.
How does Dr. Hester compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Tyler?
Among the 15 orthopedic surgeons in Tyler, Dr. Hester ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Hester is among the highest-volume surgeons in Tyler.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hester practices?
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Ut Health East Texas Tyler Regional Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Ut Health East Texas Athens Hospital (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 Tyler, Texas
Dr. Hester's 180 Medicare procedures are above the Tyler average of 144. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Tyler.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Kenneth Kaminski | 416 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Conflitti | 92 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Roger McCown | 92 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Hobbs | 79 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Thomas Volatile | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Wupperman | 72 | Shoulder |
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.