Dr. Carlos Gonzalez, M.D.
Contact & Location
915-592-3323
El Paso, TX 79936
Dr. Gonzalez performs more knee replacement procedures than 36% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #312 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Gonzalez
Practice. Dr. Carlos Gonzalez is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in El Paso, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 24 knee replacements and 12 hip replacements, 36 procedures in all. That is #312 in Texas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 25 procedures a year to 36, up 44%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 24 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. El Paso has 9 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 | 25 |
| 2015 | 14 | 35 |
| 2016 | 0 | 32 |
| 2017 | 17 | 24 |
| 2018 | 18 | 26 |
| 2019 | 17 | 31 |
| 2020 | 0 | 21 |
| 2021 | 15 | 22 |
| 2022 | 0 | 30 |
| 2023 | 0 | 31 |
| 2024 | 12 | 24 |
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. Gonzalez Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Gonzalez's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 44% from 25 procedures in 2014 to 36 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.
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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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. Gonzalez
How does Dr. Gonzalez's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Gonzalez has performed 36 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. Gonzalez ranks #319 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Gonzalez perform?
Dr. Gonzalez's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (24 cases) and hip replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Gonzalez in El Paso?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in El Paso 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. Gonzalez 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. Gonzalez's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 36 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. Gonzalez's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Gonzalez's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 25 procedures in 2014 to 36 in the most recent data, a 44% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 49 procedures in 2015.
Does Dr. Gonzalez perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Gonzalez's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (24 cases), hip replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Gonzalez affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Gonzalez is affiliated with University Medical Center Of El Paso.
How does Dr. Gonzalez compare to other orthopedic surgeons in El Paso?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in El Paso, Dr. Gonzalez ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Gonzalez is among the highest-volume surgeons in El Paso.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Gonzalez practices?
University Medical Center Of El Paso (1 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 El Paso, Texas
Dr. Gonzalez's 36 Medicare procedures are below the El Paso average of 38. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in El Paso.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Erick Torres | 110 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Alvaro Hernandez | 35 | Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Alost | 29 | Knee |
| Dr. Eric Sides | 22 | Knee |
| Dr. Jason Vourazeris | 19 | Shoulder |
| Dr. David Mansfield | 15 | 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.