Procedure Volume Patient Data Patient Conditions Reviews General Payments Back to Top

Home > TX Providers

Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon

(No ratings)

Specializes in: General Surgery

University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine (2009)

Professional interests include: cardiac catheterization, hernia surgery, removal of skin lesion (growth or mark), and more.

4383 Medical Drive Suite 126
San Antonio, TX 78229

(210) 593-5890

Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon is a general surgeon in San Antonio, TX specializing in general surgery. He graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine in 2009 and has 15 years of experience. Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon is affiliated with Methodist Health System, Methodist Physicians, Baptist Health System, CHRISTUS Health, Methodist Hospital, Baptist Hospital, and SOUTH TEXAS ONCOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY, PLLC.

Office Locations

Address:

4383 Medical Drive Suite 126
San Antonio, TX 78229

Some issues Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon can help you with:

Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy)

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the upper abdomen, underneath the liver. Its purpose is to store bile, which is used to digest fat. Occasionally, the gallbladder can develop mineral stones, called gallstones. If they are large enough, gallstones can block the ducts in the gallbladder and cause swelling and infection. Gallstones can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication, but sometimes this is not enough. In these cases, it is best to remove the gallbladder before it can cause more serious problems. The surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy.

Today, most gallbladder surgeries are done laparoscopically. Four tiny incisions are made in the abdomen, and small tools are inserted through these tiny incisions to perform the surgery. Because the incisions are much smaller, recovery time is much faster with this type of surgery. Patients are usually discharged from the hospital the same day. Sometimes, open surgery is used to remove a gallbladder. In this type of surgery, a cut about six inches long is made in the upper right abdomen. After the gallbladder is removed, it is sutured or stapled closed. With open surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for two to three days to recover before they are discharged.

Gallbladder removal, like any surgery, carries some risks, such as bleeding, infection, or the development of blood clots. Doctors will tell patients how to minimize their risk for complications. After surgery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for several days. They should not soak in a bath until their sutures or staples have been removed. Patients should wash hands before touching the area around the incision. It will take a couple of days until patients feel like themselves again and a few weeks until their scar has healed and faded.

Skin Issues

The skin is the largest organ in the body, protecting and covering the more sensitive inner organs. Considering its size and that it is constantly exposed to the elements, the skin is usually relatively problem-free. However that doesn't mean that issues don't come up from time to time that might need the help of a professional. The most common skin issues that people seek medical help with are cosmetic issues, acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and skin growths.

Professional cosmetic skin treatments exist to treat wrinkles, scars, dark spots, remove excess hair, tone and tighten skin, and otherwise improve the appearance of the skin. They may use lasers, light therapy, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or many other forms of skin treatment.

Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, most commonly on the face or back. The clogged follicles can then become infected and inflamed. Treatments include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and retinoid creams.

Eczema is dry, sensitive skin that causes an itchy red rash, often in response to specific triggers. It is common in childhood but can sometimes last into adulthood. The main treatment involves keeping skin well moisturized.

Dermatitis is the medical name for any kind of skin inflammation or rash. Rashes can happen because of an allergy or contact with an irritating substance. They may be red, itchy, or even painful. They are often treated with antihistamines or moisturizing creams containing cortisone.

Psoriasis is patches of thick, red skin that is covered in silvery scales. It is often itchy and sore. Psoriasis is thought to be caused by an immune disorder, and it runs in families. Psoriasis is not contagious. There is no cure, but there are medicated creams available to treat the symptoms.

Skin growths, including warts and moles, are usually not serious. However, some skin growths should be examined by a doctor to make sure they don't cause problems in the future. Warts are harmless, rough, bumpy growths caused by a viral infection. They occur most often on the hands and feet. Because they are caused by a virus, they are contagious. Moles are brown or black spots that are sometimes raised slightly from the surface of the skin. They happen when clumps of pigment cells form in a cluster instead of spread out. Moles are harmless except that they are more vulnerable to cancer than other parts of the skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and its risk increases with sun exposure and fair skin tone.

Skin issues can be embarrassing or irritating, but most are minor and can be treated without serious problems. Some, however, can be a sign of a more significant issue, so it is important to see a doctor for anything out of the ordinary.

Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery is a procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the lower neck that regulates the hormones that manage metabolism. Thyroid surgery, also known as thyroidectomy, treats thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), goiters (noncancerous thyroid inflammation), and thyroid cancer. It may also be used to remove thyroid nodules or cysts that have a risk of becoming cancerous.

Both hypothyroidism and goiters are caused by an autoimmune reaction where the body produces antibodies that attack the thyroid cells for unknown reasons. The thyroid reacts by releasing too little or too much T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, impairing thyroid function and causing irregular metabolism. Goiters develop from the autoimmune reaction causing continued antibody damage to the thyroid over time. Thyroid goiters are large, swollen lumps that can be felt near the base of the neck. Obstructive goiters can cause pain, coughing, and abnormal breathing. Hypothyroidism may also be caused by iodine deficiency, as iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormones.

The exact cause of thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules or cysts is unknown. While thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules or cysts can occur in individuals with thyroid disorders, they are not associated with a malfunctioning thyroid.

Physicians may prescribe thyroid surgery if blood tests reveal patients' thyroid stimulating hormones (TSA) are outside of the acceptable range, indicating a malfunctioning thyroid. Thyroid biopsies (tissue samples) and tests for thyroid-attacking antibodies are also criteria for surgery.

An ENT or general surgeon performs thyroid surgery. While a patient is placed under anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision at the center of the neck and removes the thyroid gland. Two alternative methods of thyroid surgery are transoral (incision through the mouth) and endoscopic, where a surgeon operates a video camera for live footage to help guide the removal process.

Thyroid surgery requires minimal aftercare. Most patients recover quickly and resume normal activities within a few days of surgery. However, thyroid surgery patients must take daily synthetic thyroid medication (levothyroxine) for life to replace their removed thyroid.

hospital care	169
inpatient care	169

**Gender**
Male	120
Female	108

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	128
Black	0
Hispanic	78
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	108
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	24
Less than 65	30

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	51
Dementia	17
Cancer	23

doctor visit	59
hospital care	224
inpatient care	224

**Gender**
Male	109
Female	110

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	129
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	95
From 75 to 84	61
85 and over	28
Less than 65	35

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	40
Dementia	17
Cancer	16

doctor visit	90
hospital care	72
inpatient care	72

**Gender**
Male	95
Female	97

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	119
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	95
From 75 to 84	51
85 and over	28
Less than 65	18

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	35
Dementia	18
Cancer	20

abdominal surgery	20
doctor visit	136
gastrointestinal procedures	20
hospital care	31
inpatient care	31
minimally invasive procedures	20

**Gender**
Male	95
Female	87

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	119
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	95
From 75 to 84	47
85 and over	12
Less than 65	28

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	41
Dementia	10
Cancer	20

abdominal surgery	17
doctor visit	151
gastrointestinal procedures	17
hospital care	97
inpatient care	97
minimally invasive procedures	17

**Gender**
Male	96
Female	119

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	134
Black	0
Hispanic	70
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	119
From 75 to 84	60
85 and over	13
Less than 65	23

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	37
Dementia	12
Cancer	19

abdominal surgery	23
doctor visit	154
gastrointestinal procedures	23
hospital care	10
inpatient care	10
minimally invasive procedures	23

**Gender**
Male	96
Female	109

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	140
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	68
85 and over	14
Less than 65	13

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	34
Dementia	10
Cancer	26

abdominal surgery	58
blood draw	28
doctor visit	370
gastrointestinal procedures	58
minimally invasive procedures	58

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2015 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon treated as a general surgeon in San Antonio, TX were hospital care, inpatient care, minimally invasive procedures and abdominal surgery.

abdominal surgery	29
blood draw	28
doctor visit	161
gastrointestinal procedures	29
hospital care	100
inpatient care	100
minimally invasive procedures	29

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2015 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon.

**Gender**
Male	61
Female	63

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	76
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	14
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	35
85 and over	11
Less than 65	14
65 to 74	62

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon From 2015 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	45
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	2
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	23
Atrial Fibrillation	8
Cancer	12
Dementia	8

Education & Training

Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine in 2009. He completed residency at University of Alabama Affiliated Hospitals. He has a state license in Texas.

Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine (2009)

Residency: University of Alabama Affiliated Hospitals (2014)

Licensed In: Texas

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Methodist Health System

Methodist Physicians

Baptist Health System

CHRISTUS Health

Methodist Hospital

Baptist Hospital

SOUTH TEXAS ONCOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY, PLLC

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Joseph Richard Karam, MD, Surgeon here: Leave a Review

(No ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$291,277 Da Vinci Surgical System $282,727	DA VINCI SP $8,550
Davol Inc.	$2,926 Phasix Mesh $2,814	VENTRALEX $52	$61
Medical Device Business Services, Inc.	$1,027 $1,027
TELA Bio, Inc.	$457 OviTex Reinforced Bioscaffold With Permanent Polymer (OviTex) $297	Ovitex $160
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.	$120 INCRUSE $120
Other	$345 AirSeal $108	Santyl $74	HARMONIC Product Family $64	LINX Reflux Management System $15	Cook Medical General Surgery $12	Other $73

**Types of Payments**
Education	$219,521
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$44,300
Travel and Lodging	$16,727
Food and Beverage	$15,603

Biography

Dr. Joseph Karam is a San Antonio, TX physician who specializes in general surgery. Clinical interests for Dr. Karam include benign tumor, gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy), and skin issues. He is professionally affiliated with Methodist Healthcare, CHRISTUS Health, and Baptist Health System. He attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine.