Dr. James Dahl, MD
Contact & Location
509-663-8711
Wenatchee, WA 98801
About Dr. Dahl
Dr. James Dahl is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Wenatchee, Washington. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Dahl completed 36 hip replacements (#48 in Washington), 28 knee replacements, and 28 shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, totaling 92 Medicare-verified procedures.
In Washington, Dr. Dahl performs near the state average in hip (36 vs 38), below the state average in knee (28 vs 41), near the state average in shoulder (28 vs 28).
Dr. Dahl performs all three major joint replacement procedures — hip, knee, and shoulder — indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is hip replacements (36 cases), followed by knee replacements (28) and shoulder replacements (28).
Wenatchee is home to 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Wenatchee area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Dahl extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 58 to 92 in the most recent data, a 59% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 4,532 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Dahl's 36 verified procedures is near the national average of 36.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 25 | 33 | 0 |
| 2014 | 20 | 28 | 0 |
| 2015 | 22 | 33 | 0 |
| 2016 | 43 | 37 | 0 |
| 2017 | 61 | 37 | 0 |
| 2018 | 54 | 34 | 0 |
| 2019 | 50 | 41 | 0 |
| 2020 | 34 | 36 | 0 |
| 2021 | 35 | 25 | 12 |
| 2022 | 39 | 45 | 11 |
| 2023 | 41 | 37 | 22 |
| 2024 | 36 | 28 | 28 |
Verified Medicare Cases
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. Dahl Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Dahl's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 59% from 58 procedures in 2013 to 92 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Dahl
How does Dr. Dahl's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Dahl has performed 92 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Washington average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Dahl ranks #36 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Dahl perform?
Dr. Dahl performs all three major joint replacement procedures: hip replacement (36 cases), knee replacement (28 cases), shoulder replacement (28 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Dahl in Wenatchee?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Wenatchee 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. Dahl 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. Dahl's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 92 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Dahl's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Dahl's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 58 procedures in 2013 to 92 in the most recent data, a 59% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 100 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Dahl perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Dahl's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (36 cases), knee replacement (28 cases), shoulder replacement (28 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Dahl among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Dahl affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Dahl is affiliated with Lake Chelan Community Hospital, Confluence Health Hospital.
How does Dr. Dahl compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Wenatchee?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Wenatchee, Dr. Dahl ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Dahl is among the highest-volume surgeons in Wenatchee.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Dahl practices?
Confluence Health Hospital (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 Wenatchee, Washington
Dr. Dahl's 92 Medicare procedures are above the Wenatchee average of 90. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Wenatchee.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Joel Cummings | 188 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sean Caskey | 137 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Rossi | 69 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Brannon Orton | 40 | Knee |
| Dr. Benjamin Albertson | 16 | 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.