Dr. John Wollaeger, M.D.
Contact & Location
608-287-2700
Madison, WI 53719
Dr. Wollaeger performs more hip replacement procedures than 71% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #32 of 113 ranked hip surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Wollaeger
Practice. Dr. John Wollaeger is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Madison, Wisconsin. The latest annual CMS data records 33 hip replacements and 24 knee replacements, 57 procedures in all. That is #32 in Wisconsin for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 28 procedures a year to 57, up 104%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 33 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Madison has 23 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 | 13 | 15 | 0 |
| 2014 | 12 | 17 | 13 |
| 2015 | 18 | 20 | 0 |
| 2016 | 21 | 23 | 15 |
| 2017 | 26 | 33 | 0 |
| 2018 | 33 | 32 | 30 |
| 2019 | 26 | 27 | 19 |
| 2020 | 22 | 14 | 15 |
| 2021 | 24 | 26 | 15 |
| 2022 | 33 | 27 | 15 |
| 2023 | 31 | 21 | 0 |
| 2024 | 33 | 24 | 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, 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. Wollaeger Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Wollaeger's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 104% from 28 procedures in 2013 to 57 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.
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Wollaeger
How does Dr. Wollaeger's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Wollaeger has performed 57 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Wisconsin average of 51 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Wollaeger ranks #64 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Wollaeger perform?
Dr. Wollaeger's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (33 cases) and knee replacement (24 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Wollaeger in Madison?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in Madison 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. Wollaeger 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. Wollaeger'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. Wollaeger's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Wollaeger's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 28 procedures in 2013 to 57 in the most recent data, a 104% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 95 procedures in 2018.
Does Dr. Wollaeger perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Wollaeger's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (33 cases), knee replacement (24 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Wollaeger affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Wollaeger is affiliated with Sauk Prairie Hospital, University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority, Unitypoint Health - Meriter, Ssm Health St Clare Hospital - Baraboo, Upland Hills Health.
How does Dr. Wollaeger compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Madison?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in Madison, Dr. Wollaeger ranks #12 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Madison has 246 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Wollaeger practices?
Sauk Prairie Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Unitypoint Health - Meriter (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 Madison, Wisconsin
Dr. Wollaeger's 57 Medicare procedures are below the Madison average of 154. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Madison.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Brian Nickel | 246 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Hennessy | 233 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Illgen | 189 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Rajit Chakravarty | 133 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Scott Anderson | 112 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Andrew Livermore | 109 | 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.