Dr. Wame Waggenspack, M.D.
Contact & Location
225-924-2424
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Houston, TX 77024
Webster, TX 77598
Houston, TX 77030
Baytown, TX 77521
Dr. Waggenspack performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 40% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #15 of 25 ranked shoulder surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Waggenspack
Practice. Dr. Wame Waggenspack is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 16 shoulder replacements. That is #15 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement. Dr. Waggenspack also holds credentials in Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine, Sports Medicine.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 7 years. Volume has held between 15 and 25 procedures a year.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 16 procedures is below the national average of 29. 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 16 |
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. 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. Waggenspack Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Waggenspack's procedure volume has been consistent across 7 years of Medicare data, ranging from 15 to 25 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Waggenspack
How does Dr. Waggenspack's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Waggenspack has performed 16 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. Waggenspack ranks #87 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Waggenspack perform?
Dr. Waggenspack's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 16 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Waggenspack with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Waggenspack ranks #15 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement with 16 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 104 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Waggenspack 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. Waggenspack 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, which puts Dr. Waggenspack's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 60 procedures against the 16 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. Waggenspack's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Waggenspack's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 7 years of Medicare data, ranging from 15 to 25 procedures per year between 2018 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Waggenspack affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Waggenspack is affiliated with Texas Orthopedic Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Memorial Hermann Houston Physicians Hospital, Oakbend Medical Center. Dr. Waggenspack maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Waggenspack compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge, Dr. Waggenspack ranks #12 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. Waggenspack practices?
Texas Orthopedic Hospital (hip/knee complication rate better than national average); Houston Methodist Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Memorial Hermann Houston Physicians Hospital (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. Waggenspack's 16 Medicare procedures are below the Baton Rouge average of 66. 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.