Dr. Farbod Malek, M.D.
Contact & Location
210-865-9200
San Antonio, TX 78229
Dr. Malek performs more hip replacement procedures than 29% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #201 of 285 ranked hip surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Malek
Practice. Dr. Farbod Malek is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Antonio, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 17 hip replacements and 16 knee replacements, 33 procedures in all. That is #201 in Texas for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 33, up 175%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 17 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. San Antonio has 41 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 | 12 |
| 2015 | 0 | 18 |
| 2016 | 11 | 15 |
| 2017 | 15 | 25 |
| 2018 | 14 | 13 |
| 2019 | 18 | 14 |
| 2020 | 15 | 17 |
| 2021 | 17 | 21 |
| 2022 | 21 | 24 |
| 2023 | 13 | 24 |
| 2024 | 17 | 16 |
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. Malek Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Malek's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 175% from 12 procedures in 2014 to 33 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Malek
How does Dr. Malek's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Malek has performed 33 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. Malek ranks #341 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Malek perform?
Dr. Malek's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (17 cases) and knee replacement (16 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Malek in San Antonio?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in San Antonio 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. Malek 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. Malek's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 33 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. Malek's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Malek's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2014 to 33 in the most recent data, a 175% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 45 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Malek perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Malek's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (17 cases), knee replacement (16 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Malek affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Malek is affiliated with Methodist Hospital, Baptist Medical Center, Methodist Hospital Stone Oak.
How does Dr. Malek compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Antonio?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in San Antonio, Dr. Malek ranks #27 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in San Antonio has 383 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Malek practices?
Methodist Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Baptist Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Methodist Hospital Stone Oak (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 San Antonio, Texas
Dr. Malek's 33 Medicare procedures are below the San Antonio average of 184. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in San Antonio.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Phelps | 383 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Bryan Kaiser | 235 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Ursone | 191 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Casey Taber | 172 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Girling | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Morrey | 116 | 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.