Dr. David Stark, M.D.
Contact & Location
325-672-4372
Abilene, TX 79601
Dr. Stark performs more knee replacement procedures than 19% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #393 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Stark
Practice. Dr. David Stark is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Abilene, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 17 knee replacements and 11 shoulder replacements, 28 procedures in all. That is #393 in Texas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 15 and 36 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 17 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Abilene 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 18 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 17 | 11 |
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Stark Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Stark's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 15 to 36 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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.
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.
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. Stark
How does Dr. Stark's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Stark has performed 28 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. Stark ranks #378 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Stark perform?
Dr. Stark's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (17 cases) and shoulder replacement (11 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Stark in Abilene?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Abilene 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. Stark 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Stark's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 procedures against the 28 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. Stark's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Stark's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 15 to 36 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Stark perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Stark's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (17 cases), shoulder replacement (11 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Stark affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Stark is affiliated with Hendrick Medical Center, Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood.
How does Dr. Stark compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Abilene?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Abilene, Dr. Stark ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Abilene has 120 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Stark practices?
Hendrick Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood (1 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 Abilene, Texas
Dr. Stark's 28 Medicare procedures are below the Abilene average of 53. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Abilene.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Elliott Vann | 120 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Jeremy Britten | 65 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Samuel Maroney | 55 | Knee |
| Dr. Muzaffar Ali | 43 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Derek Padon | 35 | Knee |
| Dr. Shannon Cooke | 23 | 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.