Dr. Allen Nicholson, M.D.
Contact & Location
203-785-2579
New Haven, CT 06519
Dr. Nicholson performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in Connecticut, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #2 of 26 ranked shoulder surgeons in Connecticut.
About Dr. Nicholson
Practice. Dr. Allen Nicholson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in New Haven, Connecticut. The latest annual CMS data records 60 shoulder replacements. That is #2 in Connecticut for shoulder replacement. Dr. Nicholson also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2015.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume rose from 36 procedures a year to 60, up 67%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 60 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 29. That is #172 nationally.
Local context. New Haven has 6 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 60 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Nicholson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Connecticut state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nicholson's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 67% from 36 procedures in 2022 to 60 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Nicholson
How does Dr. Nicholson's procedure volume compare to other Connecticut surgeons?
Dr. Nicholson has performed 60 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Connecticut average of 49 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nicholson ranks #31 out of 94 orthopedic surgeons in Connecticut.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nicholson perform?
Dr. Nicholson's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 60 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Nicholson with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Nicholson ranks #2 in Connecticut for shoulder replacement with 60 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 94 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nicholson in New Haven?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in New Haven 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 Connecticut surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nicholson 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Nicholson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 160 to 210 procedures against the 60 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. Nicholson's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nicholson's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 36 procedures in 2022 to 60 in the most recent data, a 67% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 60 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nicholson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nicholson is affiliated with Monmouth Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, St Joseph'S University Medical Center Inc, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean University Medical Center. Dr. Nicholson maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Nicholson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in New Haven?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in New Haven, Dr. Nicholson ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Nicholson has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nicholson practices?
Monmouth Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Riverview Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Joseph'S University Medical Center Inc (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 New Haven, Connecticut
Dr. Nicholson's 60 Medicare procedures are above the New Haven average of 31. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in New Haven.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Lee Rubin | 49 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Leslie | 24 | Hip |
| Dr. Kenneth Donohue | 23 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Ilda Molloy | 15 | Hip |
| Dr. Daniel Wiznia | 14 | 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.