Dr. Mitchell Wattles, M.D.
Contact & Location
314-543-5284
Saint Louis, MO 63128
Dr. Wattles performs more hip replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Missouri, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #27 of 100 ranked hip surgeons in Missouri.
About Dr. Wattles
Practice. Dr. Mitchell Wattles is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Saint Louis, Missouri. The latest annual CMS data records 41 hip replacements and 21 knee replacements, 62 procedures in all. That is #27 in Missouri for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2021 to 2024, 4 years. Volume peaked at 131 in 2022 and stands at 62 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 41 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Saint Louis has 57 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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 18 | 33 |
| 2022 | 41 | 90 |
| 2023 | 48 | 0 |
| 2024 | 41 | 21 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Wattles Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Missouri state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Wattles's recorded volume peaked at 131 procedures in 2022 and stood at 62 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Wattles
How does Dr. Wattles's procedure volume compare to other Missouri surgeons?
Dr. Wattles has performed 62 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Missouri average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Wattles ranks #71 out of 204 orthopedic surgeons in Missouri.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wattles perform?
Dr. Wattles's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (41 cases) and knee replacement (21 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wattles in Saint Louis?
Yes. There are 57 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. Wattles 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Wattles's total volume across all insurers at roughly 200 to 260 procedures against the 62 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. Wattles's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Wattles's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 131 procedures in 2022 and was 62 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. Wattles perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Wattles's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (41 cases), knee replacement (21 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Wattles affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wattles is affiliated with Mercy Hospital South, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital, Mercy Hospital St Louis, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.
How does Dr. Wattles compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis?
Among the 57 orthopedic surgeons in Saint Louis, Dr. Wattles ranks #21 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Saint Louis has 279 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wattles practices?
Mercy Hospital South (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Missouri Baptist Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital (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. Wattles's 62 Medicare procedures are below the Saint Louis average of 150. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Saint Louis.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ryan Nunley | 279 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Palmer | 160 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Hubbard | 144 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Coles L'hommedieu | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ilya Bendich | 137 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Mudd | 132 | 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.