Dr. Douglas Arnold, M.D.
Contact & Location
608-252-8000
Madison, WI 53715
Portage, WI 53901
Dr. Arnold performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 37% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #25 of 40 ranked shoulder surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Arnold
Practice. Dr. Douglas Arnold is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Madison, Wisconsin. The latest annual CMS data records 17 shoulder replacements. That is #25 in Wisconsin for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 8 years. Volume peaked at 37 in 2018 and stands at 17 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 17 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Madison has 23 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 23 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
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. Arnold Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Arnold's recorded volume peaked at 37 procedures in 2018 and stood at 17 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:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Arnold
How does Dr. Arnold's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Arnold has performed 17 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Wisconsin average is 51 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Arnold ranks #150 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Arnold perform?
Dr. Arnold's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 17 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Arnold in Madison?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in Madison 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 Wisconsin surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Arnold 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. Arnold's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 17 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. Arnold's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Arnold's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 37 procedures in 2018 and was 17 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. Arnold affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Arnold is affiliated with Ssm Health St Mary'S Hospital - Madison, Stoughton Hospital, Ssm Health St Clare Hospital - Baraboo.
How does Dr. Arnold compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Madison?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in Madison, Dr. Arnold ranks #19 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Madison has 246 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Arnold practices?
Ssm Health St Mary'S Hospital - Madison (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Stoughton Hospital (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Ssm Health St Clare Hospital - Baraboo (4 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 Madison, Wisconsin
Dr. Arnold's 17 Medicare procedures are below the Madison average of 148. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Madison.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Brian Nickel | 246 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Hennessy | 233 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Illgen | 189 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Rajit Chakravarty | 133 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Scott Anderson | 112 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Andrew Livermore | 109 | 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.