Dr. James Crutcher, M.D.
Contact & Location
206-386-2600
Seattle, WA 98122
Dr. Crutcher performs more knee replacement procedures than 78% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #32 of 146 ranked knee surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Crutcher
Practice. Dr. James Crutcher is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Seattle, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 58 knee replacements and 38 hip replacements, 96 procedures in all. That is #32 in Washington for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 146 in 2013 and stands at 96 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 58 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Seattle has 37 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 | 73 | 73 |
| 2014 | 60 | 80 |
| 2015 | 35 | 63 |
| 2016 | 59 | 70 |
| 2017 | 38 | 72 |
| 2018 | 47 | 74 |
| 2019 | 41 | 64 |
| 2020 | 52 | 68 |
| 2021 | 54 | 50 |
| 2022 | 53 | 64 |
| 2023 | 44 | 83 |
| 2024 | 38 | 58 |
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. Crutcher Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Crutcher's recorded volume peaked at 146 procedures in 2013 and stood at 96 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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Crutcher
How does Dr. Crutcher's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Crutcher has performed 96 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Washington average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Crutcher ranks #33 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Crutcher perform?
Dr. Crutcher's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (58 cases) and hip replacement (38 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Crutcher in Seattle?
Yes. There are 37 orthopedic surgeons in Seattle 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 Washington surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Crutcher 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. Crutcher's total volume across all insurers at roughly 320 to 400 procedures against the 96 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. Crutcher's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Crutcher's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 146 procedures in 2013 and was 96 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. Crutcher perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Crutcher's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (58 cases), hip replacement (38 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Crutcher affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Crutcher is affiliated with Swedish Medical Center.
How does Dr. Crutcher compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Seattle?
Among the 37 orthopedic surgeons in Seattle, Dr. Crutcher ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Seattle has 142 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Crutcher practices?
Swedish Medical Center (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 Seattle, Washington
Dr. Crutcher's 96 Medicare procedures are below the Seattle average of 117. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Seattle.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jonathan Clabeaux | 142 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Navin Fernando | 140 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Frederick Lee | 125 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sean Toomey | 109 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Laura Matsen | 106 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Calvin Schlepp | 101 | Hip, Knee, 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.