Dr. Ugonna Ihekweazu, M.D.
Contact & Location
713-799-2300
Houston, TX 77030
Cypress, TX 77429
Tomball, TX 77375
Dr. Ihekweazu performs more knee replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #35 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Ihekweazu
Practice. Dr. Ugonna Ihekweazu is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Houston, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 103 knee replacements and 32 hip replacements, 135 procedures in all. That is #35 in Texas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2012.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume rose from 67 procedures a year to 135, up 101%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 103 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 22 | 45 |
| 2020 | 18 | 40 |
| 2021 | 29 | 50 |
| 2022 | 43 | 64 |
| 2023 | 44 | 87 |
| 2024 | 32 | 103 |
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. Ihekweazu Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ihekweazu's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 101% from 67 procedures in 2019 to 135 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.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Ihekweazu
How does Dr. Ihekweazu's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Ihekweazu has performed 135 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Texas average of 57 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Ihekweazu ranks #49 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ihekweazu perform?
Dr. Ihekweazu's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (103 cases) and hip replacement (32 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ihekweazu 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. Ihekweazu 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. Ihekweazu's total volume across all insurers at roughly 460 to 580 procedures against the 135 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. Ihekweazu's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Ihekweazu's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 67 procedures in 2019 to 135 in the most recent data, a 101% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 135 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Ihekweazu perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Ihekweazu's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (103 cases), hip replacement (32 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Ihekweazu affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ihekweazu is affiliated with Texas Orthopedic Hospital, Memorial Hermann Hospital System, Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.
How does Dr. Ihekweazu compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Houston?
Among the 52 orthopedic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Ihekweazu ranks #5 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. Ihekweazu practices?
Texas Orthopedic Hospital (hip/knee complication rate better than national average); Memorial Hermann Hospital System (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); 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. Ihekweazu's 135 Medicare procedures are below the Houston average of 183. 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. Jay Croley | 133 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kenneth Mathis | 125 | 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.