Dr. James Sutherland, M.D.
Contact & Location
715-907-0900
Wausau, WI 54401
Dr. Sutherland performs more knee replacement procedures than 35% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #98 of 152 ranked knee surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Sutherland
Practice. Dr. James Sutherland is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Wausau, Wisconsin. The latest annual CMS data records 21 knee replacements and 19 hip replacements, 40 procedures in all. That is #98 in Wisconsin for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 40, up 208%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 21 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Wausau has 9 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 | 13 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 15 |
| 2015 | 11 | 18 |
| 2016 | 18 | 17 |
| 2017 | 20 | 24 |
| 2018 | 24 | 30 |
| 2019 | 27 | 23 |
| 2020 | 18 | 14 |
| 2021 | 15 | 11 |
| 2022 | 21 | 13 |
| 2023 | 19 | 0 |
| 2024 | 19 | 21 |
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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 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. Sutherland Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sutherland's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 208% from 13 procedures in 2013 to 40 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 Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Sutherland
How does Dr. Sutherland's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Sutherland has performed 40 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. Sutherland ranks #99 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sutherland perform?
Dr. Sutherland's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (21 cases) and hip replacement (19 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sutherland in Wausau?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Wausau 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. Sutherland 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Sutherland's total volume across all insurers at roughly 130 to 170 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. Sutherland's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Sutherland's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2013 to 40 in the most recent data, a 208% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 54 procedures in 2018.
Does Dr. Sutherland perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sutherland's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (21 cases), hip replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sutherland affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sutherland is affiliated with Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Aspirus Langlade Hospital, Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital.
How does Dr. Sutherland compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Wausau?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Wausau, Dr. Sutherland ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Wausau has 74 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sutherland practices?
Aspirus Wausau Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital (3 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 Wausau, Wisconsin
Dr. Sutherland's 40 Medicare procedures are below the Wausau average of 53. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Wausau.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Douglas Keele | 74 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Roger Gregush | 61 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeremy Russell | 60 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Thiel | 59 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Casey Lagan | 47 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Faruk Abuzzahab | 32 | 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.