Dr. Carl Hicks, M.D.
Contact & Location
281-690-4678
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Dr. Hicks performs more hip replacement procedures than 72% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #77 of 285 ranked hip surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Hicks
Practice. Dr. Carl Hicks is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Sugar Land, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 39 hip replacements and 31 knee replacements, 70 procedures in all. That is #77 in Texas for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 125 in 2019 and stands at 70 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 39 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Sugar Land has 11 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 | 19 | 18 |
| 2014 | 20 | 34 |
| 2015 | 32 | 31 |
| 2016 | 37 | 35 |
| 2017 | 57 | 39 |
| 2018 | 43 | 44 |
| 2019 | 68 | 57 |
| 2020 | 59 | 38 |
| 2021 | 62 | 41 |
| 2022 | 67 | 35 |
| 2023 | 49 | 34 |
| 2024 | 39 | 31 |
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. Hicks Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hicks's recorded volume peaked at 125 procedures in 2019 and stood at 70 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 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. Hicks
How does Dr. Hicks's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Hicks has performed 70 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Texas average of 57 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Hicks ranks #140 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hicks perform?
Dr. Hicks's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (39 cases) and knee replacement (31 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hicks in Sugar Land?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Sugar Land 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. Hicks 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. Hicks's total volume across all insurers at roughly 230 to 290 procedures against the 70 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. Hicks's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Hicks's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 125 procedures in 2019 and was 70 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. Hicks perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Hicks's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (39 cases), knee replacement (31 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hicks affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hicks is affiliated with Houston Methodist Sugarland Hospital, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital.
How does Dr. Hicks compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Sugar Land?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Sugar Land, Dr. Hicks ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Hicks is among the highest-volume surgeons in Sugar Land.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hicks practices?
Houston Methodist Sugarland Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Houston Methodist Hospital (5 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 Sugar Land, Texas
Dr. Hicks's 70 Medicare procedures are below the Sugar Land average of 73. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Sugar Land.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Kent | 144 | Knee |
| Dr. Houston Braly | 109 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Rivers | 57 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Timothy Sitter | 50 | Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Pearl | 40 | Hip |
| Dr. Ashvin Dewan | 39 | 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.