Dr. John Whatley, M.D.
Contact & Location
225-924-2424
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Dr. Whatley performs more knee replacement procedures than 48% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #44 of 85 ranked knee surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Whatley
Practice. Dr. John Whatley is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 29 knee replacements and 12 hip replacements, 41 procedures in all. That is #44 in Louisiana for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 41, up 273%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 29 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Baton Rouge has 14 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 17 |
| 2024 | 12 | 29 |
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. Whatley Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Whatley's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 273% from 11 procedures in 2022 to 41 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 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 41 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Louisiana average is 54 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Whatley ranks #49 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Whatley perform?
Dr. Whatley's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (29 cases) and hip replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Whatley in Baton Rouge?
Yes. There are 14 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 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. Whatley's total volume across all insurers at roughly 140 to 170 procedures against the 41 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. Whatley's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Whatley's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2022 to 41 in the most recent data, a 273% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 41 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Whatley perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Whatley's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (29 cases), hip replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Whatley affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Whatley is affiliated with Fmol Health | Our Lady Of The Lake, 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 14 orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge, Dr. Whatley ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Baton Rouge has 138 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Whatley practices?
Fmol Health | Our Lady Of The Lake (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 41 Medicare procedures are below the Baton Rouge average of 69. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Baton Rouge.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Easton | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Craig Greene | 85 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Albert Bankston | 61 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Broyles | 59 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jared Braud | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nickos Hatzis | 44 | Shoulder |
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.