Dr. Bradley Walz, M.D.
Contact & Location
417-820-5610
Springfield, MO 65804
Dr. Walz performs more knee replacement procedures than 96% of orthopedic surgeons in Missouri, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #5 of 166 ranked knee surgeons in Missouri.
About Dr. Walz
Practice. Dr. Bradley Walz is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Springfield, Missouri. The latest annual CMS data records 131 knee replacements and 77 hip replacements, 208 procedures in all. That is #5 in Missouri for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 114 procedures a year to 208, up 82%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 131 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Springfield has 10 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 | 57 | 57 |
| 2014 | 65 | 57 |
| 2015 | 60 | 57 |
| 2016 | 76 | 91 |
| 2017 | 75 | 68 |
| 2018 | 41 | 72 |
| 2019 | 77 | 82 |
| 2020 | 88 | 68 |
| 2021 | 67 | 69 |
| 2022 | 69 | 99 |
| 2023 | 73 | 84 |
| 2024 | 77 | 131 |
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. Walz Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Missouri state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Walz's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 82% from 114 procedures in 2013 to 208 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. Walz
How does Dr. Walz's procedure volume compare to other Missouri surgeons?
Dr. Walz has performed 208 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Missouri average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Walz ranks #4 out of 204 orthopedic surgeons in Missouri.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Walz perform?
Dr. Walz's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (131 cases) and hip replacement (77 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Walz with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Walz ranks #5 in Missouri for knee replacement with 131 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 204 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Walz in Springfield?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Springfield 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 Missouri surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Walz 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. Walz's total volume across all insurers at roughly 700 to 880 procedures against the 208 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. Walz's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Walz's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 114 procedures in 2013 to 208 in the most recent data, a 82% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 208 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Walz perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Walz's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (131 cases), hip replacement (77 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Walz affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Walz is affiliated with Mercy Hospital Springfield, Mercy Hospital Lebanon, Mercy Hospital Cassville, Citizens Memorial Hospital, Mercy Hospital Aurora.
How does Dr. Walz compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Springfield?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Springfield, Dr. Walz ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Walz has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Walz practices?
Mercy Hospital Springfield (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Mercy Hospital Lebanon (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Springfield, Missouri
Dr. Walz's 208 Medicare procedures are above the Springfield average of 110. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Springfield.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Wester | 202 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Duncan | 109 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Pierre Clothiaux | 75 | Knee |
| Dr. William Wester | 71 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Jonathan Crites | 65 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Ken Carpenter | 41 | 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.