#91 Hip
#105 Knee

Dr. Michael Ziegele, MD

Orthopedic Surgery
37 procedures 5 hospitals Appleton, WI
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Knee replacement recovery kit Ice machines, mobility aids, bathroom safety — under $50 essentials
National Comparison by Procedure
Hip 16 vs 36 avg (4,526 surgeons)
Knee 21 vs 45 avg (6,720 surgeons)

Dr. Michael Ziegele is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Appleton, Wisconsin. Dr. Ziegele has performed 21 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#105 in Wisconsin) and 16 hip replacements, for a combined total of 37 procedures.

In Wisconsin, Dr. Ziegele performs below average in knee (21 vs 37 avg), below average in hip (16 vs 29 avg).

Dr. Ziegele's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (21 cases) and hip replacements (16 cases).

Appleton is home to 9 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Appleton area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Dr. Ziegele first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2023. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.

Dr. Ziegele's 21 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,720 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.

Verified Medicare Cases

Knee Replacement
21 verified cases
#105 in Wisconsin
Hip Replacement
16 verified cases
#91 in Wisconsin
Estimated total: 100 – 110 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
How is this estimated?

Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.

How Dr. Ziegele Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.

Hip Below Avg
16 Avg: 29
Knee Below Avg
21 Avg: 37
Dr. Ziegele Wisconsin Average

Contact & Location

2400 E Capitol Dr
Appleton, WI 54911
NPI: 1831553825
Credentials: MD
Active Medicare provider
Find Practice on Google Maps

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Appleton Inc
★★★★☆
Appleton, WI
Similar to national avg
H
Thedacare Medical Center - Waupaca Inc
Waupaca, WI
H
Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Neenah Inc
★★★★★
Neenah, WI
Low case volume
H
Thedacare Medical Center - Berlin Inc
Berlin, WI
H
Thedacare Medical Center New London
New London, WI

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.

Knee Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:

Week 1-2 Walking with assistive device. Knee bending exercises begin immediately. Ice therapy and elevation for swelling control.
Week 3-6 Increased range of motion (target 90 degrees). Walking longer distances. Physical therapy intensifies with strengthening exercises.
Week 7-12 Most patients walk without assistive devices. Resume driving and desk work. Continue PT for strength and flexibility.
Month 4-6 Near-full recovery. Resume most recreational activities. Some swelling and stiffness may persist but continues improving.

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. Ziegele

How does Dr. Ziegele's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?

Dr. Ziegele has performed 37 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Wisconsin average is 52 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Ziegele ranks #103 out of 185 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ziegele perform?

Dr. Ziegele's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (21 cases) and hip replacement (16 cases).

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ziegele in Appleton?

Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Appleton 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. Ziegele represent?

The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Ziegele's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 37 procedures shown here.

Does Dr. Ziegele perform more than one type of joint replacement?

Yes. Dr. Ziegele's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (21 cases), hip replacement (16 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.

Which hospitals is Dr. Ziegele affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ziegele is affiliated with Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Appleton Inc, Thedacare Medical Center - Waupaca Inc, Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Neenah Inc, Thedacare Medical Center - Berlin Inc, Thedacare Medical Center New London.

How does Dr. Ziegele compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Appleton?

Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Appleton, Dr. Ziegele ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Appleton has 101 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ziegele practices?

Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Appleton Inc (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Neenah Inc (5 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 Appleton, Wisconsin

Dr. Ziegele's 37 Medicare procedures are below the Appleton average of 64. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Appleton.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. David Liebelt 101 Hip, Knee
Dr. David Conrad 91 Hip, Knee
Dr. Shawn Hennigan 61 Shoulder
Dr. Brian Lohrbach 58 Hip, Knee
Dr. Robert Limoni 58 Hip, Knee
Dr. James Kuplic 42 Hip, Knee

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Michael Ziegele, MD -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/wi/dr-michael-ziegele-appleton.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/wi/dr-michael-ziegele-appleton.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.