Dr. Michael Wolverton, M.D.
Contact & Location
912-355-6615
Savannah, GA 31405
Dr. Wolverton performs more knee replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #16 of 203 ranked knee surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Wolverton
Practice. Dr. Michael Wolverton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Savannah, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 92 knee replacements and 58 hip replacements, 150 procedures in all. That is #16 in Georgia for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2018.
Trend. Dr. Wolverton first appears in the Medicare data in 2023. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 92 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Savannah has 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Wolverton also holds hospital privileges in GA and SC, a practice that extends beyond Georgia.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 64 procedures in 2023 and 150 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Wolverton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Wolverton has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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.
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.
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. Wolverton
How does Dr. Wolverton's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Wolverton has performed 150 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Georgia average of 55 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Wolverton ranks #12 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wolverton perform?
Dr. Wolverton's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (92 cases) and hip replacement (58 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Wolverton with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Wolverton ranks #16 in Georgia for knee replacement with 92 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 245 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wolverton in Savannah?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Savannah 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 Georgia surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Wolverton 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. Wolverton's total volume across all insurers at roughly 500 to 630 procedures against the 150 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.
Does Dr. Wolverton perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Wolverton's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (92 cases), hip replacement (58 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Wolverton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wolverton is affiliated with St Joseph'S Hospital - Savannah, Memorial Health University Medical Center, South Carolina Coastal Medical Center Llc, Candler Hospital, Hilton Head Regional Medical Center. Dr. Wolverton maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Wolverton compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Savannah?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Savannah, Dr. Wolverton ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Wolverton is among the highest-volume surgeons in Savannah.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wolverton practices?
St Joseph'S Hospital - Savannah (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Memorial Health University Medical Center (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); South Carolina Coastal Medical Center Llc (4 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 Savannah, Georgia
Dr. Wolverton's 150 Medicare procedures are above the Savannah average of 122. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Savannah.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Charles Hope | 234 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kent Woo | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Christy | 110 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chetan Deshpande | 78 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Hoffman | 73 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Andrew Jackson | 69 | 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.