#50 in Virginia
Shoulder

Dr. James Ward, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery
15 procedures 4 hospitals Warrenton, VA
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Shoulder replacement recovery kit Slings, cold therapy, and adaptive clothing for recovery
National Comparison by Procedure
Shoulder 15 vs 28 avg (2,092 surgeons)

Dr. James Ward is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Warrenton, Virginia. Dr. Ward has performed 15 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #50 in Virginia.

In Virginia, Dr. Ward performs below average in shoulder (15 vs 34 avg).

Dr. Ward's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 15 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.

Warrenton is home to 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Warrenton area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Dr. Ward's Medicare data spans 4 years, beginning in 2016. Volume peaked at 31 procedures in 2022 before settling at 15 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.

Dr. Ward's 15 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 28 among 2,092 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.

Verified Medicare Cases

Shoulder Replacement
15 verified cases
#50 in Virginia
Estimated total: 40 – 50 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
How is this estimated?

Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.

How Dr. Ward Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Virginia state average.

Shoulder Below Avg
15 Avg: 34
Dr. Ward Virginia Average

Contact & Location

52 W Shirley Ave
Warrenton, VA 20186
NPI: 1649476193
Credentials: M.D.
Active Medicare provider
Find Practice on Google Maps

Volume Trend Analysis

Dr. Ward's recorded volume peaked at 31 procedures in 2022 and stood at 15 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.

Years of Data 4
2023 Volume 15
Peak Volume 31 (2022)
Trend Declining

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Fauquier Hospital
★★★☆☆
Warrenton, VA
Similar to national avg
H
Uva Health Haymarket Medical Center
★★★★☆
Haymarket, VA
Similar to national avg
H
Uva Health Culpeper Medical Center
★★★☆☆
Culpeper, VA
Low case volume
H
Uva Health Prince William Medical Center
★★★★☆
Manassas, VA
Low case volume

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.

Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:

Week 1-3 Arm in a sling for protection. Gentle pendulum exercises under therapist guidance. Focus on pain management and wound care.
Week 4-6 Gradual sling weaning. Begin passive and active-assisted range-of-motion exercises. Light daily activities resume.
Week 7-12 Active range-of-motion exercises. Light strengthening begins. Most patients can drive and perform desk work.
Month 4-6 Progressive strengthening continues. Return to most activities. Full recovery may take 6-12 months for complete shoulder strength.

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 Virginia surgeons?

Dr. Ward has performed 15 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Virginia average is 83 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Ward ranks #205 out of 223 orthopedic surgeons in Virginia.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ward perform?

Dr. Ward's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 15 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 Warrenton?

Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Warrenton 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 Virginia surgeons.

What does the Medicare data for Dr. Ward represent?

The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Ward's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 15 procedures shown here.

Has Dr. Ward's procedure volume changed over time?

Dr. Ward's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 31 procedures in 2022 and was 15 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 Fauquier Hospital, Uva Health Haymarket Medical Center, Uva Health Culpeper Medical Center, Uva Health Prince William Medical Center.

How does Dr. Ward compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Warrenton?

Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Warrenton, Dr. Ward ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Ward is among the highest-volume surgeons in Warrenton.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ward practices?

Fauquier Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Uva Health Haymarket Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Uva Health Culpeper 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 Warrenton, Virginia

Dr. Ward's 15 Medicare procedures are below the Warrenton average of 40. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Warrenton.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. James Ramser 102 Hip, Knee
Dr. Robert Smith 29 Knee
Dr. Ralph Garretson 15 Shoulder

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. James Ward, M.D. -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/va/dr-james-ward-warrenton.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/va/dr-james-ward-warrenton.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.