Dr. Melvyn Harrington, M.D.
Contact & Location
713-986-5660
Houston, TX 77030
Dr. Harrington 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: #396 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Harrington
Practice. Dr. Melvyn Harrington is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Houston, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 17 knee replacements. That is #396 in Texas for knee replacement. Dr. Harrington also holds credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 65 in 2019 and stands at 17 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
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. 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 | 20 | 19 |
| 2014 | 0 | 18 |
| 2015 | 11 | 24 |
| 2016 | 15 | 37 |
| 2017 | 15 | 28 |
| 2018 | 19 | 24 |
| 2019 | 21 | 44 |
| 2020 | 14 | 29 |
| 2021 | 21 | 25 |
| 2022 | 17 | 26 |
| 2023 | 26 | 29 |
| 2024 | 0 | 17 |
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. 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. Harrington Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Harrington's recorded volume peaked at 65 procedures in 2019 and stood at 17 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 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. Harrington
How does Dr. Harrington's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Harrington has performed 17 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. Harrington ranks #478 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Harrington perform?
Dr. Harrington's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 17 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Harrington 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. Harrington 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, which puts Dr. Harrington's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 70 procedures against the 17 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. Harrington's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Harrington's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 65 procedures in 2019 and was 17 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Harrington affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Harrington is affiliated with Chi St Luke'S Health Baylor College Of Medicine Me, Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center.
How does Dr. Harrington compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Houston?
Among the 52 orthopedic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Harrington ranks #47 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. Harrington practices?
Chi St Luke'S Health Baylor College Of Medicine Me (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center (3 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 Houston, Texas
Dr. Harrington's 17 Medicare procedures are below the Houston average of 168. 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.