Dr. Michael Vrana, M.D.
Contact & Location
830-625-0009
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Dr. Vrana performs more knee replacement procedures than 71% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #141 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Vrana
Practice. Dr. Michael Vrana is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in New Braunfels, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 44 knee replacements and 19 hip replacements, 63 procedures in all. That is #141 in Texas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 29 procedures a year to 63, up 117%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 44 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. New Braunfels has 5 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 | 12 | 17 |
| 2015 | 14 | 14 |
| 2016 | 15 | 17 |
| 2017 | 19 | 19 |
| 2018 | 13 | 23 |
| 2019 | 13 | 28 |
| 2020 | 12 | 34 |
| 2021 | 14 | 41 |
| 2022 | 16 | 41 |
| 2023 | 19 | 50 |
| 2024 | 19 | 44 |
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. Vrana Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Vrana's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 117% from 29 procedures in 2014 to 63 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. Vrana
How does Dr. Vrana's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Vrana has performed 63 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Texas average of 57 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Vrana ranks #169 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Vrana perform?
Dr. Vrana's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (44 cases) and hip replacement (19 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Vrana in New Braunfels?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in New Braunfels 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. Vrana 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. Vrana's total volume across all insurers at roughly 210 to 270 procedures against the 63 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. Vrana's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Vrana's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 29 procedures in 2014 to 63 in the most recent data, a 117% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 69 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Vrana perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Vrana's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (44 cases), hip replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Vrana affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Vrana is affiliated with Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-San Marcos, Lavaca Medical Center, Yoakum Community Hospital, Resolute Health Hospital, Children'S Hospital Of San Antonio.
How does Dr. Vrana compare to other orthopedic surgeons in New Braunfels?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in New Braunfels, Dr. Vrana ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in New Braunfels has 130 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Vrana practices?
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-San Marcos (4 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 New Braunfels, Texas
Dr. Vrana's 63 Medicare procedures are below the New Braunfels average of 74. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in New Braunfels.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Creighton Tubb | 130 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Templin | 73 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Trent Twitero | 71 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. David Starch | 35 | 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.