Dr. Richard Steffen, M.D.
Contact & Location
210-699-8326
San Antonio, TX 78240
Dr. Steffen performs more knee replacement procedures than 85% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #71 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Steffen
Practice. Dr. Richard Steffen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Antonio, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 70 knee replacements and 17 hip replacements, 87 procedures in all. That is #71 in Texas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 164 in 2017 and stands at 87 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 70 procedures is above the national average of 45.
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 | 26 | 60 |
| 2014 | 21 | 87 |
| 2015 | 26 | 85 |
| 2016 | 28 | 114 |
| 2017 | 25 | 139 |
| 2018 | 21 | 86 |
| 2019 | 17 | 81 |
| 2020 | 23 | 61 |
| 2021 | 15 | 70 |
| 2022 | 25 | 77 |
| 2023 | 22 | 65 |
| 2024 | 17 | 70 |
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. Steffen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Steffen's recorded volume peaked at 164 procedures in 2017 and stood at 87 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.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Steffen
How does Dr. Steffen's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Steffen has performed 87 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Texas average of 57 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Steffen ranks #108 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Steffen perform?
Dr. Steffen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (70 cases) and hip replacement (17 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Steffen 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. Steffen 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. Steffen's total volume across all insurers at roughly 300 to 370 procedures against the 87 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. Steffen's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Steffen's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 164 procedures in 2017 and was 87 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.
Does Dr. Steffen perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Steffen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (70 cases), hip replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Steffen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Steffen is affiliated with South Texas Specialty Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Medina Regional Hospital, Baptist Medical Center.
How does Dr. Steffen compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Antonio?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in San Antonio, Dr. Steffen ranks #9 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. Steffen practices?
South Texas Specialty Hospital (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Methodist Hospital (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. Steffen's 87 Medicare procedures are below the San Antonio average of 191. 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.