Dr. Douglas Arnold, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery
17 procedures 1 hospital Madison, WI
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026

Contact & Location

1211 Fish Hatchery Rd
Madison, WI 53715
NPI: 1770788267
Credentials: M.D.
Active Medicare provider
Find Practice on Google Maps
Shoulder replacement recovery kit Slings, cold therapy, and adaptive clothing for recovery
National Comparison by Procedure
Shoulder 17 vs 29 avg (2,213 surgeons)

Dr. Douglas Arnold is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Arnold has performed 17 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #25 in Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, Dr. Arnold performs below average in shoulder (17 vs 25 avg).

Dr. Arnold's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 17 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.

Madison is home to 23 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Madison area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Dr. Arnold's Medicare data spans 8 years, beginning in 2015. Volume peaked at 37 procedures in 2018 before settling at 17 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.

Dr. Arnold's 17 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,213 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.

Verified Medicare Cases

Shoulder Replacement
17 verified cases
#25 in Wisconsin
Estimated total: 50 – 50 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
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. Arnold Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.

Shoulder Below Avg
17 Avg: 25
Dr. Arnold Wisconsin 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.

Years of Data 8
2024 Volume 17
Peak Volume 37 (2018)
Trend Declining

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Ssm Health St Mary'S Hospital - Madison
4/5
Madison, WI
Similar to national avg

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:

Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:

Week 1-3 Arm in a sling for protection. Gentle pendulum exercises under therapist guidance. Focus on pain management and wound care.
Week 4-6 Gradual sling weaning. Begin passive and active-assisted range-of-motion exercises. Light daily activities resume.
Week 7-12 Active range-of-motion exercises. Light strengthening begins. Most patients can drive and perform desk work.
Month 4-6 Progressive strengthening continues. Return to most activities. Full recovery may take 6-12 months for complete shoulder strength.

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 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. Arnold's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 17 procedures shown here.

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.

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). 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.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
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.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Douglas Arnold, M.D. -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/wi/dr-douglas-arnold-madison.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/wi/dr-douglas-arnold-madison.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.