Dr. Nicholas Kusnezov, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery
21 procedures 5 hospitals San Diego, CA
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026

Contact & Location

5643 Copley Dr Ste 300
San Diego, CA 92111
NPI: 1396185161
Credentials: M.D.
Active Medicare provider
Find Practice on Google Maps
Hip replacement recovery kit Essentials every patient wishes they bought first
National Comparison by Procedure
Hip 21 vs 36 avg (4,532 surgeons)

Dr. Nicholas Kusnezov is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Diego, California. Dr. Kusnezov has performed 21 Medicare-verified hip replacements, ranking #217 in California.

In California, Dr. Kusnezov performs below average in hip (21 vs 41 avg).

Dr. Kusnezov's Medicare data shows a focused hip replacement practice with 21 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.

San Diego is home to 31 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the San Diego area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs. Dr. Kusnezov also maintains hospital privileges in CA and AZ, indicating a regional practice that extends beyond California.

Dr. Kusnezov first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2024. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.

Dr. Kusnezov's 21 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 Medicare Cases

Hip Replacement
21 verified cases
#217 in California
Estimated total: 60 – 60 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. Kusnezov Compares

Procedure volume compared to the California state average.

Hip Below Avg
21 Avg: 41
Dr. Kusnezov California Average

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
5/5
La Jolla, CA
Similar to national avg
H
Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas
5/5
Encinitas, CA
Similar to national avg
H
Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center
4/5
Chula Vista, CA
Low case volume
H
Palomar Health Downtown Campus
2/5
Escondido, CA
Similar to national avg
H
Yuma Regional Medical Center
2/5
Yuma, AZ
Similar to national avg

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:

Hip Replacement Recovery Overview

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

Week 1-2 Walking with assistive device (walker or cane). Gentle range-of-motion exercises begin. Most patients can manage basic self-care.
Week 3-6 Transition to walking independently. Resume driving short distances. Physical therapy focuses on strength and balance.
Week 7-12 Return to most daily activities and light exercise. Stair climbing improves. Many patients return to desk work.
Month 4-6 Full recovery for most patients. Resume recreational activities, golf, swimming, and low-impact exercise.

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. Kusnezov

How does Dr. Kusnezov's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?

Dr. Kusnezov has performed 21 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The California average is 68 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Kusnezov ranks #458 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kusnezov perform?

Dr. Kusnezov's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 21 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kusnezov in San Diego?

Yes. There are 31 orthopedic surgeons in San Diego 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 California surgeons.

What does the Medicare data for Dr. Kusnezov 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. Kusnezov's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 21 procedures shown here.

Which hospitals is Dr. Kusnezov affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kusnezov is affiliated with Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, Palomar Health Downtown Campus, Yuma Regional Medical Center. Dr. Kusnezov maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.

How does Dr. Kusnezov compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Diego?

Among the 31 orthopedic surgeons in San Diego, Dr. Kusnezov ranks #21 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in San Diego has 253 verified Medicare procedures.

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

Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center (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 San Diego, California

Dr. Kusnezov's 21 Medicare procedures are below the San Diego average of 113. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in San Diego.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. Scott Ball 253 Hip, Knee
Dr. Francis Gonzales 155 Hip, Knee
Dr. Ameer Elbuluk 97 Hip, Knee
Dr. Thomas Nguyen 93 Knee
Dr. Daljeet Sagoo 88 Hip, Knee
Dr. David Fabi 87 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.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Nicholas Kusnezov, M.D. -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ca/dr-nicholas-kusnezov-san-diego.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ca/dr-nicholas-kusnezov-san-diego.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.