Dr. Russell Ward, M.D.
Contact & Location
254-724-2111
Temple, TX 76508
About Dr. Ward
Practice. Dr. Russell Ward is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Temple, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 11 shoulder replacements. That is #139 in Texas for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 8 years. Volume peaked at 38 in 2013 and stands at 11 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 11 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Temple has 8 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 14 | 24 |
| 2014 | 0 | 18 |
| 2015 | 0 | 27 |
| 2016 | 0 | 14 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 13 |
| 2022 | 0 | 36 |
| 2023 | 0 | 24 |
| 2024 | 0 | 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 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. Ward Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ward's recorded volume peaked at 38 procedures in 2013 and stood at 11 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Ward
How does Dr. Ward's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Ward has performed 11 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. Ward ranks #582 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ward perform?
Dr. Ward's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 11 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ward in Temple?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Temple 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. Ward 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Ward's total volume across all insurers at roughly 30 to 40 procedures against the 11 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. Ward's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Ward's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 38 procedures in 2013 and was 11 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. Ward affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ward is affiliated with Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple, Scott & White Hospital-Round Rock, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center- College Stati, Adventhealth Central Texas.
How does Dr. Ward compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Temple?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Temple, Dr. Ward ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Temple has 136 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ward practices?
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Scott & White Hospital-Round Rock (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Baylor Scott & White Medical Center- College Stati (4 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 Temple, Texas
Dr. Ward's 11 Medicare procedures are below the Temple average of 55. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Temple.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Kirby Hitt | 136 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Clint Barnett | 68 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bryce Allen | 58 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Donavan Murphy | 48 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Kevin Caperton | 40 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Gregory Sprowls | 27 | Shoulder |
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.