Dr. Rafael Walker -Santiago, M.D.
Contact & Location
262-329-1000
Grafton, WI 53024
Columbia, MO 65212
San Juan, PR 00935
Dr. Walker -Santiago performs more hip replacement procedures than 36% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #72 of 113 ranked hip surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Walker -Santiago
Dr. Rafael Walker -Santiago is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Grafton, Wisconsin. A Medicare provider since 2011, Dr. Walker -Santiago performed 20 Medicare-verified hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #72 in Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin, Dr. Walker -Santiago performs below the state average in hip (20 vs 29).
Dr. Walker -Santiago's Medicare data shows a focused hip replacement practice with 20 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Grafton is home to 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Grafton area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Walker -Santiago's Medicare data spans 4 years, beginning in 2020. Volume peaked at 49 procedures in 2020 before settling at 20 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Dr. Walker -Santiago's 20 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,532 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 | 12 | 37 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 22 | 0 |
| 2024 | 20 | 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. 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. Walker -Santiago Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Walker -Santiago's recorded volume peaked at 49 procedures in 2020 and stood at 20 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 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.
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.
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. Walker -Santiago
How does Dr. Walker -Santiago's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Walker -Santiago has performed 20 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. Walker -Santiago ranks #134 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Walker -Santiago perform?
Dr. Walker -Santiago's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 20 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Walker -Santiago in Grafton?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Grafton 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. Walker -Santiago 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, which puts Dr. Walker -Santiago's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 80 procedures against the 20 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. Walker -Santiago's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Walker -Santiago's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 49 procedures in 2020 and was 20 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Walker -Santiago affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Walker -Santiago is affiliated with Aurora Medical Center, Aurora St Lukes Medical Center, Aurora Medical Ctr Washington County, Aurora West Allis Medical Center, Aurora Medical Center Burlington.
How does Dr. Walker -Santiago compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Grafton?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Grafton, Dr. Walker -Santiago ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Walker -Santiago is among the highest-volume surgeons in Grafton.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Walker -Santiago practices?
Aurora Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Aurora St Lukes Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Aurora Medical Ctr Washington County (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 Grafton, Wisconsin
Dr. Walker -Santiago's 20 Medicare procedures are below the Grafton average of 31. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Grafton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Stephen Kurtin | 79 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Anderson | 44 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nathan Kopydlowski | 17 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Wichman | 12 | Hip |
| Dr. Omar Darr | 11 | 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.