Dr. Brett Mulawka, M.D.
Contact & Location
509-465-1300
Spokane, WA 99208
Spokane, WA 99204
Spokane, WA 99204
Dr. Mulawka performs more hip replacement procedures than 78% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #23 of 109 ranked hip surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Mulawka
Dr. Brett Mulawka is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Spokane, Washington. A Medicare provider since 2013, Dr. Mulawka performed 52 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#23 in Washington) and 50 knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 102 procedures.
In Washington, Dr. Mulawka performs above the state average in hip (52 vs 38), above the state average in knee (50 vs 41).
Dr. Mulawka's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (52 cases) and knee replacements (50 cases).
Spokane is home to 17 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Spokane area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs. Dr. Mulawka also maintains hospital privileges in WA and ID, indicating a regional practice that extends beyond Washington.
Medicare records for Dr. Mulawka extend back to 2018, covering 7 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 49 to 102 in the most recent data, a 108% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Mulawka's 52 verified procedures is above the national average of 36.
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 | 17 | 32 |
| 2019 | 50 | 43 |
| 2020 | 23 | 0 |
| 2021 | 30 | 25 |
| 2022 | 44 | 41 |
| 2023 | 53 | 57 |
| 2024 | 52 | 50 |
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. Mulawka Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Mulawka's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 108% from 49 procedures in 2018 to 102 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 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.
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.
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. Mulawka
How does Dr. Mulawka's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Mulawka has performed 102 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Washington average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Mulawka ranks #30 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Mulawka perform?
Dr. Mulawka's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (52 cases) and knee replacement (50 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Mulawka in Spokane?
Yes. There are 17 orthopedic surgeons in Spokane 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 Washington surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Mulawka 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. Mulawka's total volume across all insurers at roughly 340 to 430 procedures against the 102 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. Mulawka's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Mulawka's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 49 procedures in 2018 to 102 in the most recent data, a 108% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 110 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Mulawka perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Mulawka's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (52 cases), knee replacement (50 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Mulawka affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Mulawka is affiliated with Multicare Deaconess Hospital, Northwest Specialty Hospital, Lincoln Hospital, Providence Mount Carmel Hospital. Dr. Mulawka maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Mulawka compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Spokane?
Among the 17 orthopedic surgeons in Spokane, Dr. Mulawka ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Mulawka is among the highest-volume surgeons in Spokane.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Mulawka practices?
Multicare Deaconess Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwest Specialty Hospital (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 Spokane, Washington
Dr. Mulawka's 102 Medicare procedures are at the Spokane average of 102. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Spokane.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Alexander Reichard | 175 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joshua Drumm | 107 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael McDonald | 93 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Kody | 85 | Knee |
| Dr. Timothy Lovell | 83 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chad Harbour | 70 | 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.