Dr. Charles Nolte, D.O.
Contact & Location
608-392-9876
La Crosse, WI 54601
Dr. Nolte performs more knee replacement procedures than 69% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #47 of 152 ranked knee surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Nolte
Practice. Dr. Charles Nolte is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The latest annual CMS data records 40 knee replacements and 17 hip replacements, 57 procedures in all. That is #47 in Wisconsin for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 104 in 2019 and stands at 57 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 40 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. La Crosse has 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Nolte also holds hospital privileges in WI and MN and IA, a practice that extends beyond Wisconsin.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 33 |
| 2014 | 11 | 36 |
| 2015 | 0 | 47 |
| 2016 | 24 | 67 |
| 2017 | 20 | 66 |
| 2018 | 22 | 63 |
| 2019 | 33 | 71 |
| 2020 | 19 | 45 |
| 2021 | 19 | 48 |
| 2022 | 22 | 63 |
| 2023 | 20 | 47 |
| 2024 | 17 | 40 |
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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 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. Nolte Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nolte's recorded volume peaked at 104 procedures in 2019 and stood at 57 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 Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Nolte
How does Dr. Nolte's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Nolte has performed 57 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Wisconsin average of 51 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nolte ranks #66 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nolte perform?
Dr. Nolte's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (40 cases) and hip replacement (17 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nolte in La Crosse?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in La Crosse 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 Wisconsin surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nolte 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Nolte's total volume across all insurers at roughly 190 to 240 procedures against the 57 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. Nolte's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Nolte's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 104 procedures in 2019 and was 57 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. Nolte perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nolte's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (40 cases), hip replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nolte affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nolte is affiliated with Mayo Clinic Health System In La Crosse, Mayo Clinic Health System In Sparta, Winona Health Services, Veterans Memorial Hospital, Tomah Memorial Hospital. Dr. Nolte maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Nolte compare to other orthopedic surgeons in La Crosse?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in La Crosse, Dr. Nolte ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in La Crosse has 111 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nolte practices?
Mayo Clinic Health System In La Crosse (5 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Winona Health Services (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 La Crosse, Wisconsin
Dr. Nolte's 57 Medicare procedures are below the La Crosse average of 75. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in La Crosse.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Mark Topolski | 111 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Whalen | 107 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kariline Bringe | 99 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Klein | 52 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Scott Kuzma | 25 | Shoulder |
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.