Dr. Christopher Wottowa, M.D.
Contact & Location
217-528-7541
Springfield, IL 62702
Dr. Wottowa performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 77% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #18 of 80 ranked shoulder surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Wottowa
Practice. Dr. Christopher Wottowa is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Springfield, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 35 shoulder replacements. That is #18 in Illinois for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 15 procedures a year to 35, up 133%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 35 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Springfield has 15 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 | 15 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 35 |
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. Wottowa Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Wottowa's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 133% from 15 procedures in 2013 to 35 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 practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. Wottowa
How does Dr. Wottowa's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Wottowa has performed 35 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Illinois average is 69 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Wottowa ranks #199 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wottowa perform?
Dr. Wottowa's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 35 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Wottowa with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Wottowa ranks #18 in Illinois for shoulder replacement with 35 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 316 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wottowa in Springfield?
Yes. There are 15 orthopedic surgeons in Springfield 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 Illinois surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Wottowa 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. Wottowa's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 120 procedures against the 35 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. Wottowa's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Wottowa's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 15 procedures in 2013 to 35 in the most recent data, a 133% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 35 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Wottowa affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wottowa is affiliated with St Johns Hospital, Memorial Medical Center, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Taylorville Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Wottowa compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Springfield?
Among the 15 orthopedic surgeons in Springfield, Dr. Wottowa ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Springfield has 134 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wottowa practices?
St Johns Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Memorial Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital (2 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 Springfield, Illinois
Dr. Wottowa's 35 Medicare procedures are below the Springfield average of 99. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Springfield.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Dane Church | 134 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. D Allan | 130 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Piero Capecci | 123 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Pate | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Rossi | 94 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer | 62 | 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.