Dr. Joseph Mueller, D.O.
Contact & Location
608-742-4131
Portage, WI 53901
Dr. Mueller performs more knee replacement procedures than 28% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #109 of 152 ranked knee surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Mueller
Dr. Joseph Mueller is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Portage, Wisconsin. A Medicare provider since 2015, Dr. Mueller performed 19 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#109 in Wisconsin) and 16 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 35 procedures.
In Wisconsin, Dr. Mueller performs below the state average in knee (19 vs 36), below the state average in hip (16 vs 29).
Dr. Mueller's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (19 cases) and hip replacements (16 cases).
Dr. Mueller is the only orthopedic surgeon in Portage represented in the current Medicare dataset, serving as the primary local option for patients considering joint replacement surgery in the area.
Medicare records for Dr. Mueller extend back to 2022, covering 3 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 11 to 35 in the most recent data, a 218% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Mueller's 19 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 12 |
| 2024 | 16 | 19 |
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. Mueller Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Mueller's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 218% from 11 procedures in 2022 to 35 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 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.
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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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.
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. Mueller
How does Dr. Mueller's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Mueller has performed 35 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Wisconsin average is 51 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Mueller ranks #106 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Mueller perform?
Dr. Mueller's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (19 cases) and hip replacement (16 cases).
Where is Dr. Mueller's practice located?
Dr. Mueller practices in Portage, Wisconsin. The office is located at 2817 New Pinery Rd, Portage, WI 53901. Patients in the surrounding area can consult Dr. Mueller for joint replacement evaluation.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Mueller 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. Mueller's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 35 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. Mueller's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Mueller's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2022 to 35 in the most recent data, a 218% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 35 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Mueller perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Mueller's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (19 cases), hip replacement (16 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Mueller affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Mueller is affiliated with Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital, Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Mueller practices?
Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Aspirus Wausau Hospital (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.
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.