Dr. Richard Nix, M.D.
Contact & Location
501-604-6900
Little Rock, AR 72205
Dr. Nix performs more knee replacement procedures than 85% of orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #11 of 76 ranked knee surgeons in Arkansas.
About Dr. Nix
Practice. Dr. Richard Nix is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Little Rock, Arkansas. The latest annual CMS data records 91 knee replacements. That is #11 in Arkansas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 164 in 2019 and stands at 91 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 91 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Little Rock has 26 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 38 |
| 2014 | 20 | 51 |
| 2015 | 17 | 46 |
| 2016 | 17 | 58 |
| 2017 | 12 | 58 |
| 2018 | 14 | 109 |
| 2019 | 20 | 144 |
| 2020 | 28 | 104 |
| 2021 | 16 | 109 |
| 2022 | 21 | 102 |
| 2023 | 14 | 112 |
| 2024 | 0 | 91 |
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. 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. Nix Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arkansas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nix's recorded volume peaked at 164 procedures in 2019 and stood at 91 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Nix
How does Dr. Nix's procedure volume compare to other Arkansas surgeons?
Dr. Nix has performed 91 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Arkansas average of 66 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nix ranks #23 out of 89 orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nix perform?
Dr. Nix's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 91 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Nix with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Nix ranks #11 in Arkansas for knee replacement with 91 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 89 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nix in Little Rock?
Yes. There are 26 orthopedic surgeons in Little Rock 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 Arkansas surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nix 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, which puts Dr. Nix's total volume across all insurers at roughly 330 to 400 procedures against the 91 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. Nix's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Nix's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 164 procedures in 2019 and was 91 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. Nix affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nix is affiliated with Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, Baptist Health Medical Center-Hot Springs County.
How does Dr. Nix compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Little Rock?
Among the 26 orthopedic surgeons in Little Rock, Dr. Nix ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Little Rock has 255 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nix practices?
Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock (3 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.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Little Rock, Arkansas
Dr. Nix's 91 Medicare procedures are below the Little Rock average of 148. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Little Rock.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Kenneth Martin | 255 | Knee |
| Dr. Samuel Baxter | 166 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Charles Barnes | 164 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Newbern | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Paul Edwards | 131 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Smith | 94 | 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.