Dr. Michael Garitty, M.D.
Contact & Location
377-721-7236
Lake Charles, LA 70605
Greenville, SC 29605
Jackson, MS 39202
Dr. Garitty performs more knee replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #21 of 85 ranked knee surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Garitty
Practice. Dr. Michael Garitty is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 57 knee replacements and 27 hip replacements, 84 procedures in all. That is #21 in Louisiana for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2014.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume has held between 35 and 86 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 57 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Lake Charles has 11 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 | 31 | 55 |
| 2020 | 25 | 55 |
| 2021 | 22 | 13 |
| 2022 | 14 | 24 |
| 2023 | 27 | 36 |
| 2024 | 27 | 57 |
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. Garitty Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Garitty's procedure volume has been consistent across 6 years of Medicare data, ranging from 35 to 86 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Garitty
How does Dr. Garitty's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Garitty has performed 84 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Louisiana average of 54 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Garitty ranks #22 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Garitty perform?
Dr. Garitty's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (57 cases) and hip replacement (27 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Garitty in Lake Charles?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lake Charles 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. Garitty 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. Garitty's total volume across all insurers at roughly 290 to 360 procedures against the 84 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. Garitty's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Garitty's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 6 years of Medicare data, ranging from 35 to 86 procedures per year between 2019 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Garitty perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Garitty's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (57 cases), hip replacement (27 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Garitty affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Garitty is affiliated with Christus Ochsner St Patrick Hospital, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.
How does Dr. Garitty compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lake Charles?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lake Charles, Dr. Garitty ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Garitty is among the highest-volume surgeons in Lake Charles.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Garitty practices?
Christus Ochsner St Patrick Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (4 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 Lake Charles, Louisiana
Dr. Garitty's 84 Medicare procedures are above the Lake Charles average of 68. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lake Charles.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Steven Hale | 106 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nathan Cohen | 87 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Foret | 75 | Knee |
| Dr. Charles Hansen | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. George Trappey | 37 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Hinton | 33 | 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.