#30 in Missouri
Shoulder

Dr. Melissa Wright, MD

Orthopedic Surgery
22 procedures 4 hospitals Saint Louis, MO
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Shoulder replacement recovery kit Slings, cold therapy, and adaptive clothing for recovery
National Comparison by Procedure
Shoulder 22 vs 28 avg (2,092 surgeons)

Dr. Melissa Wright is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Saint Louis, Missouri. A Medicare provider since 2014, Dr. Wright has performed 22 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #30 in Missouri.

In Missouri, Dr. Wright performs below average in shoulder (22 vs 30 avg).

Dr. Wright's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 22 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.

Saint Louis is home to 50 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Saint Louis area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs. Dr. Wright also maintains hospital privileges in MO and IL and IA, indicating a regional practice that extends beyond Missouri.

Dr. Wright first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2022. With 2 years of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.

Dr. Wright's 22 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 28 among 2,092 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.

Verified Medicare Cases

Shoulder Replacement
22 verified cases
#30 in Missouri
Estimated total: 60 – 70 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
How is this estimated?

Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.

How Dr. Wright Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Missouri state average.

Shoulder Below Avg
22 Avg: 30
Dr. Wright Missouri Average

Contact & Location

Phone: 314-514-3500
4921 Parkview Pl
Saint Louis, MO 63110
NPI: 1255745576
Credentials: MD
Active Medicare provider (NPI verified)
12 years of practice experience
Licensed MD
Licensed surgical specialist
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
Contact information available
Find Practice on Google Maps

Volume Trend Analysis

Dr. Wright has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2022. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.

Years of Data 2
2023 Volume 22
Peak Volume 26 (2022)
Trend Developing

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Barnes Jewish Hospital
★★★★☆
Saint Louis, MO
Similar to national avg
H
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
★★★★☆
Creve Coeur, MO
Similar to national avg
H
Ssm Health St Mary'S Hospital -Centralia
★★☆☆☆
Centralia, IL
Low case volume
H
St Lukes Regional Medical Center
★☆☆☆☆
Sioux City, IA
Low case volume

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.

Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:

Week 1-3 Arm in a sling for protection. Gentle pendulum exercises under therapist guidance. Focus on pain management and wound care.
Week 4-6 Gradual sling weaning. Begin passive and active-assisted range-of-motion exercises. Light daily activities resume.
Week 7-12 Active range-of-motion exercises. Light strengthening begins. Most patients can drive and perform desk work.
Month 4-6 Progressive strengthening continues. Return to most activities. Full recovery may take 6-12 months for complete shoulder strength.

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. Wright

How does Dr. Wright's procedure volume compare to other Missouri surgeons?

Dr. Wright has performed 22 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Missouri average is 56 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Wright ranks #151 out of 199 orthopedic surgeons in Missouri.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wright perform?

Dr. Wright's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 22 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wright in Saint Louis?

Yes. There are 50 orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis 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. Wright represent?

The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Wright's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 22 procedures shown here.

Which hospitals is Dr. Wright affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wright is affiliated with Barnes Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Ssm Health St Mary'S Hospital -Centralia, St Lukes Regional Medical Center. Dr. Wright maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.

How does Dr. Wright compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis?

Among the 50 orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis, Dr. Wright ranks #40 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Saint Louis has 263 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wright practices?

Barnes Jewish Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Ssm Health St Mary'S Hospital -Centralia (2 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 Saint Louis, Missouri

Dr. Wright's 22 Medicare procedures are below the Saint Louis average of 132. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Saint Louis.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. Ryan Nunley 263 Hip, Knee
Dr. Michael Hubbard 135 Hip, Knee, Shoulder
Dr. Christopher Mudd 130 Hip, Knee
Dr. Ilya Bendich 128 Hip, Knee
Dr. Coles L'hommedieu 122 Hip, Knee
Dr. Christopher Palmer 121 Hip, Knee

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Melissa Wright, MD -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/mo/dr-melissa-wright-saint-louis.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/mo/dr-melissa-wright-saint-louis.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.