Dr. James Watt, D.O.
Contact & Location
850-863-2153
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Dr. Watt performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 69% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #48 of 157 ranked shoulder surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Watt
Practice. Dr. James Watt is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 32 shoulder replacements. That is #48 in Florida for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 14 procedures a year to 32, up 129%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 32 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Fort Walton Beach has 6 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 41 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 32 |
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. Watt Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Watt's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 129% from 14 procedures in 2014 to 32 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 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. Watt
How does Dr. Watt's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Watt has performed 32 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Florida average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Watt ranks #357 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Watt perform?
Dr. Watt's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 32 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Watt in Fort Walton Beach?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Walton Beach 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 Florida surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Watt 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. Watt's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 procedures against the 32 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. Watt's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Watt's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 14 procedures in 2014 to 32 in the most recent data, a 129% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 41 procedures in 2021.
Which hospitals is Dr. Watt affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Watt is affiliated with Sacred Heart Hospital On The Emerald Coast, Hca Florida Twin Cities Hospital, Hca Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, North Okaloosa Medical Center, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola.
How does Dr. Watt compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Fort Walton Beach?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Walton Beach, Dr. Watt ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Fort Walton Beach has 189 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Watt practices?
Sacred Heart Hospital On The Emerald Coast (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Hca Florida Twin Cities Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Hca Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital (3 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 Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Dr. Watt's 32 Medicare procedures are below the Fort Walton Beach average of 88. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Fort Walton Beach.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Matthew Mai | 189 | Hip |
| Dr. Thomas Seales | 137 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Tenholder | 94 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Dean | 67 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Leo Chen | 11 | 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.