Dr. James Pritchett, M.D.
Contact & Location
206-386-6171
Seattle, WA 98122
Dr. Pritchett performs more hip replacement procedures than 48% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #56 of 109 ranked hip surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Pritchett
Practice. Dr. James Pritchett is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Seattle, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 33 hip replacements. That is #56 in Washington for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 27 and 53 procedures a year.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 33 procedures is near the national average of 36.
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 | 22 | 15 |
| 2014 | 38 | 0 |
| 2015 | 40 | 13 |
| 2016 | 30 | 0 |
| 2017 | 36 | 0 |
| 2018 | 42 | 0 |
| 2019 | 39 | 0 |
| 2020 | 27 | 0 |
| 2021 | 28 | 0 |
| 2022 | 29 | 0 |
| 2023 | 46 | 0 |
| 2024 | 33 | 0 |
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 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. Pritchett Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Pritchett's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 27 to 53 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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.
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.
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. Pritchett
How does Dr. Pritchett's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Pritchett has performed 33 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Washington average is 59 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Pritchett ranks #126 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Pritchett perform?
Dr. Pritchett's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 33 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Pritchett 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. Pritchett 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Pritchett's total volume across all insurers at roughly 100 to 130 procedures against the 33 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. Pritchett's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Pritchett's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 27 to 53 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Pritchett affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Pritchett is affiliated with Swedish Medical Center, Swedish Edmonds Hospital.
How does Dr. Pritchett compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Seattle?
Among the 37 orthopedic surgeons in Seattle, Dr. Pritchett ranks #26 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. Pritchett practices?
Swedish Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Swedish Edmonds Hospital (2 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 Seattle, Washington
Dr. Pritchett's 33 Medicare procedures are below the Seattle average of 108. 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.