Dr. Matti Palo, M.D.
Contact & Location
985-807-1937
Covington, LA 70433
Dr. Palo performs more knee replacement procedures than 14% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #73 of 85 ranked knee surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Palo
Practice. Dr. Matti Palo is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Covington, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 15 knee replacements. That is #73 in Louisiana for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 5 years. Volume peaked at 22 in 2015 and stands at 15 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 15 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Covington has 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 15 |
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. 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. Palo Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Palo's recorded volume peaked at 22 procedures in 2015 and stood at 15 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Palo
How does Dr. Palo's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Palo has performed 15 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. Palo ranks #88 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Palo perform?
Dr. Palo's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 15 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Palo in Covington?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Covington 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. Palo 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, which puts Dr. Palo's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 70 procedures against the 15 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. Palo's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Palo's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 22 procedures in 2015 and was 15 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Palo affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Palo is affiliated with Avala.
How does Dr. Palo compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Covington?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Covington, Dr. Palo ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Palo is among the highest-volume surgeons in Covington.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Palo practices?
Avala (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 Covington, Louisiana
Dr. Palo's 15 Medicare procedures are below the Covington average of 29. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Covington.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Charles Schumacher | 91 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Timothy Devraj | 29 | Knee |
| Dr. Jason Rudd | 14 | Knee |
| Dr. Joey Lamartina | 12 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Kevin Darr | 11 | 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.