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Dr. Steven Alter, MD

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Specializes in: Hand Surgery and Orthopedic Trauma

Boston University School of Medicine

Professional interests include: herniated disc, ankle problems, neck pain, and more.

14 Research Place
Chelmsford, MA 01863

(978) 454-0706

Dr. Steven Alter, MD is a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA specializing in hand surgery and orthopedic trauma. He graduated from Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Steven Alter, MD is affiliated with Tufts Medicine and Emerson Health.

Office Locations

Emerson Health

14 Research Place
Chelmsford, MA 01863

(978) 454-0706

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Some issues Dr. Steven Alter, MD can help you with:

Replacement Arthroplasty (Joint Replacement)

Joint replacement, sometimes also called arthroplasty, is an option when a joint becomes severely damaged by disease or injury. The damaged cartilage of the joint is surgically removed, the ends of the bones in the joint are resurfaced, and a prosthetic is installed. Most prosthetic joints are made of a metal piece that fits into a plastic sleeve so that they glide smoothly. A joint replacement increases stability in the damaged area and decreases pain. The hip and knee are the two joints most commonly replaced, but joint replacement can also be performed on the ankle, shoulder, elbow and even fingers.

Although joint replacement is one of the safest and most reliable medical procedures available, it is still a major surgical procedure. All surgical procedures carry risks, such as infection or blood clots. For this reason, doctors try to help their patients avoid surgery for as long as they can. Taking arthritis medications, losing weight, avoiding high impact sports such as running, taking supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin, or having joint injections may allow a patient to enjoy life without the need for surgery.

After having joint replacement surgery, patients can expect some pain the first few days as they recover. Physical therapy is an important part of recovery, and it can decrease complications and increase future mobility. As soon as possible, returning to low impact sports such as swimming, walking or biking can stretch and heal the new joint. A prosthetic joint can last 15 - 20 years and cannot be further damaged by degenerative diseases such as arthritis, so once it is done patients should be pain-free for many years.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

arm X-ray

carpal tunnel injection

closed treatment of distal radius fracture without reduction

endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery

total shoulder replacement

wrist X-ray

By Affordability:

carpal tunnel injection

closed treatment of distal radius fracture

closed treatment of distal radius fracture without reduction

closed treatment of wrist fracture

hand X-ray

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within Massachusetts, Dr. Steven Alter, MD performed more arm X-ray, carpal tunnel injection, closed treatment of distal radius fracture without reduction, endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery, total shoulder replacement, and wrist X-ray procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of them and he also had a list price for carpal tunnel injection, closed treatment of distal radius fracture, closed treatment of distal radius fracture without reduction, closed treatment of wrist fracture, and hand X-ray that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 10%

By Volume:

musculoskeletal imaging

In 2023, Dr. Steven Alter, MD performed more musculoskeletal imaging procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within Massachusetts.

Top 25%

By Volume:

injections

X-rays

By Affordability:

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within Massachusetts, Dr. Steven Alter, MD performed more injections, and X-rays procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and he also had a list price for joint X-ray, neck X-ray, spine imaging, spine X-ray, and X-rays that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2012 were injections, musculoskeletal imaging, X-rays and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	49
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	12
decompression surgery	26
doctor visit	982
hip imaging	44
hospital care	35
immobilization	18
injections	199
inpatient care	35
minimally invasive procedures	26
musculoskeletal imaging	98
nerve procedures	26
tendon surgery	21
upper extremity surgery	47
X-rays	98

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2013 were injections, musculoskeletal imaging, X-rays and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	64
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	28
decompression surgery	42
doctor visit	1136
hospital care	37
immobilization	18
injections	288
inpatient care	37
minimally invasive procedures	42
musculoskeletal imaging	137
nerve procedures	42
tendon surgery	21
upper extremity surgery	63
X-rays	137

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	279
Female	391

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	574
Black	0
Hispanic	54
Asian	21
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	248
From 75 to 84	159
85 and over	65
Less than 65	198

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2013

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	29
Dementia	8
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2014 were injections, X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	106
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	22
decompression surgery	44
doctor visit	1255
hip imaging	41
hospital care	29
immobilization	26
injections	334
inpatient care	29
minimally invasive procedures	44
musculoskeletal imaging	214
nerve procedures	44
pelvic imaging	26
tendon surgery	29
upper extremity surgery	73
X-rays	240

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	291
Female	428

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	607
Black	11
Hispanic	66
Asian	22
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	250
From 75 to 84	158
85 and over	86
Less than 65	225

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2014

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	33
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2015 were X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging, injections and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	115
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	35
decompression surgery	36
doctor visit	1398
hip imaging	83
hospital care	45
immobilization	15
injections	366
inpatient care	45
minimally invasive procedures	36
musculoskeletal imaging	511
nerve procedures	36
pelvic imaging	36
spinal procedures	26
tendon surgery	30
upper extremity surgery	66
X-rays	573

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	616
Female	882

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1272
Black	0
Hispanic	148
Asian	42
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	510
From 75 to 84	366
85 and over	152
Less than 65	470

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2015

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	33
Dementia	9
Cancer	6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2016 were X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging, injections and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	135
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	33
decompression surgery	26
doctor visit	1553
hospital care	34
immobilization	30
injections	436
inpatient care	34
minimally invasive procedures	26
musculoskeletal imaging	742
nerve procedures	26
spinal procedures	36
tendon surgery	29
upper extremity surgery	55
X-rays	778

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	323
Female	546

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	727
Black	0
Hispanic	79
Asian	45
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	330
From 75 to 84	212
85 and over	80
Less than 65	247

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2016

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	22
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	36
Dementia	10
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2017 were X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging, injections and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	140
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	37
decompression surgery	31
doctor visit	1516
hospital care	33
immobilization	22
injections	412
inpatient care	33
minimally invasive procedures	31
musculoskeletal imaging	561
nerve procedures	31
spinal procedures	49
tendon surgery	45
upper extremity surgery	76
X-rays	610

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	308
Female	526

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	694
Black	0
Hispanic	73
Asian	39
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	332
From 75 to 84	212
85 and over	96
Less than 65	194

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2017

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	44
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	31
Dementia	12
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2018 were injections, X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	122
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	15
decompression surgery	32
doctor visit	1526
hospital care	27
immobilization	14
injections	393
inpatient care	27
joint surgery	16
minimally invasive procedures	32
musculoskeletal imaging	232
nerve procedures	32
reconstructive surgery	16
spinal procedures	57
tendon surgery	38
upper extremity surgery	86
X-rays	289

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	319
Female	480

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	661
Black	13
Hispanic	71
Asian	29
Other	25
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	312
From 75 to 84	229
85 and over	85
Less than 65	173

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2018

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	33
Dementia	9
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2019 were injections, X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	128
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	20
decompression surgery	43
doctor visit	1616
hospital care	32
immobilization	20
injections	423
inpatient care	32
joint surgery	18
minimally invasive procedures	43
musculoskeletal imaging	192
nerve procedures	43
reconstructive surgery	18
spinal procedures	41
tendon surgery	43
upper extremity surgery	104
X-rays	233

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	362
Female	495

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	739
Black	0
Hispanic	57
Asian	31
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	347
From 75 to 84	256
85 and over	90
Less than 65	164

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2019

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	31
Dementia	10
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2020 were injections, X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging and upper extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	69
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	28
decompression surgery	41
doctor visit	1115
fracture surgery	14
hospital care	35
immobilization	14
injections	273
inpatient care	35
joint surgery	12
lower extremity surgery	14
minimally invasive procedures	41
musculoskeletal imaging	128
nerve procedures	41
reconstructive surgery	12
spinal procedures	25
tendon surgery	27
upper extremity surgery	80
X-rays	153

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	295
Female	418

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	624
Black	0
Hispanic	42
Asian	22
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	293
From 75 to 84	215
85 and over	65
Less than 65	140

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2020

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	29
Dementia	8
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2021 were injections, X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging and upper extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	73
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	32
decompression surgery	37
doctor visit	1383
fracture surgery	11
hospital care	24
injections	305
inpatient care	24
joint surgery	18
minimally invasive procedures	37
musculoskeletal imaging	187
nerve procedures	37
open surgery	11
reconstructive surgery	18
spinal procedures	27
tendon surgery	31
upper extremity surgery	97
X-rays	214

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	301
Female	450

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	649
Black	0
Hispanic	56
Asian	23
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	317
From 75 to 84	231
85 and over	81
Less than 65	122

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2021

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	28
Dementia	8
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA during 2022 were injections, X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging and upper extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	72
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	23
decompression surgery	42
doctor visit	1292
hospital care	17
injections	314
inpatient care	17
joint surgery	17
minimally invasive procedures	42
musculoskeletal imaging	203
nerve procedures	42
reconstructive surgery	17
spinal procedures	36
tendon surgery	45
upper extremity surgery	104
X-rays	239

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	286
Female	420

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	610
Black	0
Hispanic	55
Asian	23
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	310
From 75 to 84	215
85 and over	82
Less than 65	99

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	26
Dementia	7
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alter, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated as a hand surgeon in Chelmsford, MA were injections, X-rays, musculoskeletal imaging and aspiration.

aspiration	97
closed (non-surgical) treatment of fracture	25
decompression surgery	36
doctor visit	1342
fracture surgery	12
hip imaging	56
hospital care	31
immobilization	19
injections	340
inpatient care	31
joint surgery	16
lower extremity surgery	14
minimally invasive procedures	36
musculoskeletal imaging	291
nerve procedures	36
open surgery	11
pelvic imaging	31
reconstructive surgery	16
spinal procedures	37
tendon surgery	32
upper extremity surgery	77
X-rays	324

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	307
Female	457

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	2
Asian / Pacific Islander	27
Non-Hispanic White	650
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	63
Other	3

**Age**
75 to 84	204
85 and over	80
Less than 65	184
65 to 74	295

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alter, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Steven Alter, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and diabetes.

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	28
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Dementia	8
Cancer	9

Education & Training

Dr. Steven Alter, MD graduated from Boston University School of Medicine. He completed residency at State University of New York (SUNY) Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Board Certification: Orthopedics and has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine

Residency: State University of New York (SUNY) Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: Board Certification: Orthopedics

Licensed In: Massachusetts

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Steven Alter, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Tufts Medicine

Emerson Health

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Steven Alter, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
DePuy Synthes Products LLC	$2,370 LCP PLATES & SCREWS $2,370
ENCORE MEDICAL, LP	$857 DJO Surgical AltiVate Reverse $634	DJO Surgical AltiVate Anatomic System $223
Medical Device Business Services, Inc.	$814 LCP PLATES & SCREWS $790	INHANCE $24
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$698 XIAFLEX $698
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.	$671 Comprehensive Primary Stem $671
Other	$768 BLUEPRINT PSI SYSTEM $212	Equinoxe $210	XIAFLEX $148	Regeneten $48	Trauma $46	Other $105

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$3,160
Food and Beverage	$1,918
Travel and Lodging	$1,026
Education	$75

Biography

Dr. Steven Alter's specialties are orthopedic trauma and hand surgery. He practices in Chelmsford, MA. These areas are among his clinical interests: back pain, foot problems, and replacement arthroplasty (joint replacement). Dr. Alter is professionally affiliated with Emerson Health and Tufts Medicine. He welcomes new patients at his office inChelmsford, MA as reported by Tufts Medicine. Before performing his residency at a hospital affiliated with State University of New York (SUNY), Dr. Alter attended Boston University School of Medicine.