Dr. Wesley Clark, M.D.
Contact & Location
504-897-6351
New Orleans, LA 70115
Metairie, LA 70005
Slidell, LA 70458
Dr. Clark performs more knee replacement procedures than 27% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #62 of 85 ranked knee surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Clark
Practice. Dr. Wesley Clark is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in New Orleans, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 20 knee replacements and 17 hip replacements, 37 procedures in all. That is #62 in Louisiana for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 45 in 2013 and stands at 37 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 20 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. New Orleans 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 | 20 | 25 |
| 2014 | 12 | 12 |
| 2015 | 13 | 12 |
| 2016 | 12 | 14 |
| 2017 | 15 | 12 |
| 2018 | 18 | 23 |
| 2019 | 15 | 17 |
| 2020 | 21 | 12 |
| 2021 | 13 | 19 |
| 2022 | 14 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 18 |
| 2024 | 17 | 20 |
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. Clark Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Clark's recorded volume peaked at 45 procedures in 2013 and stood at 37 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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Clark
How does Dr. Clark's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Clark has performed 37 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. Clark ranks #53 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Clark perform?
Dr. Clark's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (20 cases) and hip replacement (17 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Clark in New Orleans?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans 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. Clark 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. Clark's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 37 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. Clark's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Clark's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 45 procedures in 2013 and was 37 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.
Does Dr. Clark perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Clark's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (20 cases), hip replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Clark affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Clark is affiliated with West Jefferson Medical Center, Ochsner Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Slidell Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Clark compare to other orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans, Dr. Clark ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in New Orleans has 88 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Clark practices?
West Jefferson Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Ochsner Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); East Jefferson General Hospital (2 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 New Orleans, Louisiana
Dr. Clark's 37 Medicare procedures are below the New Orleans average of 52. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in New Orleans.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Lance Estrada | 88 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Chad Millet | 73 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Willard Moore | 54 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Meyer | 44 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Felix Savoie | 37 | Shoulder |
| Dr. George Chimento | 29 | 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.