Dr. Joel Wells, M.D.
Contact & Location
214-645-3300
Dallas, TX 75390
Dr. Wells performs more hip replacement procedures than 69% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #87 of 285 ranked hip surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Wells
Practice. Dr. Joel Wells is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Dallas, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 34 hip replacements. That is #87 in Texas for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 10 years. Volume peaked at 99 in 2019 and stands at 34 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 34 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Dallas has 40 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 | 17 | 11 |
| 2016 | 22 | 18 |
| 2017 | 28 | 0 |
| 2018 | 53 | 0 |
| 2019 | 84 | 15 |
| 2020 | 61 | 22 |
| 2021 | 72 | 15 |
| 2022 | 50 | 0 |
| 2023 | 30 | 0 |
| 2024 | 34 | 0 |
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. 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. Wells Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Wells's recorded volume peaked at 99 procedures in 2019 and stood at 34 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Wells
How does Dr. Wells's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Wells has performed 34 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Texas average is 57 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Wells ranks #337 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wells perform?
Dr. Wells's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 34 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wells in Dallas?
Yes. There are 40 orthopedic surgeons in Dallas 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 Texas surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Wells 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, which puts Dr. Wells's total volume across all insurers at roughly 100 to 140 procedures against the 34 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. Wells's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Wells's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 99 procedures in 2019 and was 34 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Wells affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wells is affiliated with Baylor Scott And White Medical Center Mckinney.
How does Dr. Wells compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Dallas?
Among the 40 orthopedic surgeons in Dallas, Dr. Wells ranks #24 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Dallas has 231 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wells practices?
Baylor Scott And White Medical Center Mckinney (4 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 Dallas, Texas
Dr. Wells's 34 Medicare procedures are below the Dallas average of 166. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Dallas.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Paul Peters | 231 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Gladnick | 215 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Champine | 212 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Tyler Freeman | 172 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bradford Waddell | 166 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kurt Kitziger | 134 | 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.