Dr. Judd Fitzgerald, M.D.
Contact & Location
509-460-5588
Kennewick, WA 99336
Dr. Fitzgerald performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 76% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #13 of 56 ranked shoulder surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Fitzgerald
Practice. Dr. Judd Fitzgerald is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Kennewick, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 40 shoulder replacements. That is #13 in Washington for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 7 years. Volume peaked at 77 in 2021 and stands at 40 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 40 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Kennewick has 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Fitzgerald also holds hospital privileges in WA and OR, a practice that extends beyond Washington.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2019 | 0 | 26 |
| 2020 | 18 | 44 |
| 2021 | 26 | 51 |
| 2022 | 0 | 35 |
| 2023 | 0 | 29 |
| 2024 | 0 | 40 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Fitzgerald Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Fitzgerald's recorded volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2021 and stood at 40 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
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. Fitzgerald
How does Dr. Fitzgerald's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Fitzgerald has performed 40 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. Fitzgerald ranks #114 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Fitzgerald perform?
Dr. Fitzgerald's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 40 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Fitzgerald with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Fitzgerald ranks #13 in Washington for shoulder replacement with 40 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 198 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Fitzgerald in Kennewick?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Kennewick 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. Fitzgerald 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Fitzgerald's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 40 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. Fitzgerald's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Fitzgerald's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2021 and was 40 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. Fitzgerald affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Fitzgerald is affiliated with Lourdes Medical Center, St Anthony Hospital, Good Shepherd Medical Center. Dr. Fitzgerald maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Fitzgerald compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Kennewick?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Kennewick, Dr. Fitzgerald ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Kennewick has 194 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Fitzgerald practices?
Lourdes Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Anthony Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Good Shepherd Medical Center (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 Kennewick, Washington
Dr. Fitzgerald's 40 Medicare procedures are below the Kennewick average of 106. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Kennewick.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Uel Hansen | 194 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Merrell | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Sherfey | 56 | 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.