Dr. Carlton Houtz, M.D.
Contact & Location
318-798-4623
Shreveport, LA 71105
Dr. Houtz performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 84% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #4 of 25 ranked shoulder surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Houtz
Practice. Dr. Carlton Houtz is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Shreveport, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 45 shoulder replacements and 20 knee replacements, 65 procedures in all. That is #4 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 34 procedures a year to 65, up 91%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 45 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Shreveport has 16 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 15 |
| 2014 | 0 | 20 |
| 2015 | 19 | 27 |
| 2016 | 16 | 22 |
| 2017 | 31 | 35 |
| 2018 | 28 | 31 |
| 2019 | 33 | 41 |
| 2020 | 25 | 31 |
| 2021 | 37 | 28 |
| 2022 | 34 | 33 |
| 2023 | 30 | 37 |
| 2024 | 20 | 45 |
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, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Houtz Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Houtz's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 91% from 34 procedures in 2013 to 65 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Houtz
How does Dr. Houtz's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Houtz has performed 65 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Louisiana average of 54 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Houtz ranks #34 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Houtz perform?
Dr. Houtz's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (45 cases) and knee replacement (20 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Houtz with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Houtz ranks #4 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement with 45 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 104 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Houtz in Shreveport?
Yes. There are 16 orthopedic surgeons in Shreveport 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 Louisiana surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Houtz 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, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Houtz's total volume across all insurers at roughly 190 to 240 procedures against the 65 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. Houtz's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Houtz's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 34 procedures in 2013 to 65 in the most recent data, a 91% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 74 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Houtz perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Houtz's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (45 cases), knee replacement (20 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Houtz affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Houtz is affiliated with Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System, Minden Medical Center, Desoto Regional Health System, Springhill Medical Center, Christus Coushatta Health Care Center.
How does Dr. Houtz compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Shreveport?
Among the 16 orthopedic surgeons in Shreveport, Dr. Houtz ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Shreveport has 303 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Houtz practices?
Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Minden Medical Center (3 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 Shreveport, Louisiana
Dr. Houtz's 65 Medicare procedures are below the Shreveport average of 138. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Shreveport.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Steven Atchison | 303 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Cambize Shahrdar | 160 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Googe | 127 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Charles Lobrano | 125 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Pearson | 93 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Timothy Talbert | 91 | 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.