Dr. Christopher Smith, M.D.
Contact & Location
281-690-4678
Houston, TX 77094
Sugar Land, TX 77478
Dr. Smith performs more knee replacement procedures than 87% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #63 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Smith
Practice. Dr. Christopher Smith is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Houston, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 75 knee replacements and 34 hip replacements, 109 procedures in all. That is #63 in Texas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 109, up 891%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 75 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Houston has 52 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 | 11 |
| 2015 | 15 | 18 |
| 2016 | 0 | 37 |
| 2017 | 25 | 29 |
| 2018 | 18 | 43 |
| 2019 | 15 | 47 |
| 2020 | 17 | 39 |
| 2021 | 18 | 58 |
| 2022 | 27 | 50 |
| 2023 | 21 | 76 |
| 2024 | 34 | 75 |
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. Smith Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Smith's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 891% from 11 procedures in 2014 to 109 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. Smith
How does Dr. Smith's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Smith has performed 109 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Texas average of 57 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Smith ranks #74 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Smith perform?
Dr. Smith's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (75 cases) and hip replacement (34 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Smith in Houston?
Yes. There are 52 orthopedic surgeons in Houston 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. Smith 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. Smith's total volume across all insurers at roughly 370 to 460 procedures against the 109 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. Smith's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Smith's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2014 to 109 in the most recent data, a 891% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 109 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Smith perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Smith's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (75 cases), hip replacement (34 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Smith affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Smith is affiliated with Houston Methodist West Hospital, Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Columbus Community Hospital, Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital.
How does Dr. Smith compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Houston?
Among the 52 orthopedic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Smith ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Houston has 340 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Smith practices?
Houston Methodist West Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); 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 Houston, Texas
Dr. Smith's 109 Medicare procedures are below the Houston average of 181. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Houston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Stefan Kreuzer | 340 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Vasilios Mathews | 229 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gregory Stocks | 168 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robin Goytia | 153 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ugonna Ihekweazu | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jay Croley | 133 | 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.