Dr. John Whatley, M.D.
Contact & Location
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Dr. John Whatley is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A Medicare provider since 2011, Dr. Whatley has performed 17 Medicare-verified knee replacements, ranking #73 in Louisiana.
In Louisiana, Dr. Whatley performs below average in knee (17 vs 40 avg).
Dr. Whatley's Medicare data shows a focused knee replacement practice with 17 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Baton Rouge is home to 16 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Baton Rouge area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Whatley first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2022. With 2 years of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Whatley's 17 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,720 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Whatley Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Whatley has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2022. 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Whatley
How does Dr. Whatley's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Whatley has performed 17 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Louisiana average is 51 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Whatley ranks #89 out of 118 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Whatley perform?
Dr. Whatley's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 17 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Whatley in Baton Rouge?
Yes. There are 16 orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge 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. Whatley represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Whatley's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 17 procedures shown here.
Which hospitals is Dr. Whatley affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Whatley is affiliated with Our Lady Of The Lake Regional Medical Center, Surgical Specialty Center Of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge General Medical Center.
How does Dr. Whatley compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge?
Among the 16 orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge, Dr. Whatley ranks #13 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Baton Rouge has 120 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Whatley practices?
Our Lady Of The Lake Regional Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Surgical Specialty Center Of Baton Rouge (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Baton Rouge General Medical Center (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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Dr. Whatley's 17 Medicare procedures are below the Baton Rouge average of 64. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Baton Rouge.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Easton | 120 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Craig Greene | 72 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Albert Bankston | 64 | Knee |
| Dr. Jared Braud | 61 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Reginald Griffith | 59 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Broyles | 55 | 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.