Dr. William Wester, M.D.
Contact & Location
417-875-3800
Springfield, MO 65807
Dr. Wester performs more hip replacement procedures than 59% of orthopedic surgeons in Missouri, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #41 of 100 ranked hip surgeons in Missouri.
About Dr. Wester
Practice. Dr. William Wester is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Springfield, Missouri. The latest annual CMS data records 31 hip replacements, 26 knee replacements, and 14 shoulder replacements, 71 procedures in all. That is #41 in Missouri for hip replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 167 in 2015 and stands at 71 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 31 procedures is near the national average of 36.
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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 43 | 55 | 16 |
| 2014 | 52 | 48 | 14 |
| 2015 | 70 | 64 | 33 |
| 2016 | 46 | 42 | 17 |
| 2017 | 56 | 54 | 16 |
| 2018 | 27 | 44 | 0 |
| 2019 | 46 | 38 | 22 |
| 2020 | 41 | 42 | 11 |
| 2021 | 56 | 31 | 17 |
| 2022 | 64 | 35 | 13 |
| 2023 | 54 | 28 | 0 |
| 2024 | 31 | 26 | 14 |
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, 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. Wester Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Missouri state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Wester's recorded volume peaked at 167 procedures in 2015 and stood at 71 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.
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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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.
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. Wester
How does Dr. Wester's procedure volume compare to other Missouri surgeons?
Dr. Wester has performed 71 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Missouri average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Wester ranks #57 out of 204 orthopedic surgeons in Missouri.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wester perform?
Dr. Wester performs all three major joint replacement procedures: hip replacement (31 cases), knee replacement (26 cases), shoulder replacement (14 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wester 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. Wester 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Wester's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 290 procedures against the 71 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. Wester's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Wester's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 167 procedures in 2015 and was 71 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. Wester perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Wester's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (31 cases), knee replacement (26 cases), shoulder replacement (14 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Wester among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Wester affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wester is affiliated with Cox Medical Centers, Cox Medical Center Branson, Cox Monett Hospital.
How does Dr. Wester compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Springfield?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Springfield, Dr. Wester ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Springfield has 208 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wester practices?
Cox Medical Centers (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Cox Medical Center Branson (4 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 Springfield, Missouri
Dr. Wester's 71 Medicare procedures are below the Springfield average of 110. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Springfield.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bradley Walz | 208 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Wester | 202 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Duncan | 109 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Pierre Clothiaux | 75 | Knee |
| 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.