Dr. Stephen Nelson, M.D.
Contact & Location
203-882-3373
Milford, CT 06460
Branford, CT 06405
Orange, CT 06477
Wallingford, CT 06492
Hamden, CT 06518
Dr. Nelson performs more knee replacement procedures than 88% of orthopedic surgeons in Connecticut, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #8 of 67 ranked knee surgeons in Connecticut.
About Dr. Nelson
Practice. Dr. Stephen Nelson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Hamden, Connecticut. The latest annual CMS data records 59 knee replacements and 22 hip replacements, 81 procedures in all. That is #8 in Connecticut for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2013.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 5 years. Volume rose from 56 procedures a year to 81, up 45%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 59 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Hamden has 8 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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 29 | 27 |
| 2021 | 25 | 38 |
| 2022 | 36 | 47 |
| 2023 | 31 | 51 |
| 2024 | 22 | 59 |
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, 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. Nelson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Connecticut state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nelson's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 45% from 56 procedures in 2020 to 81 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 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.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Nelson
How does Dr. Nelson's procedure volume compare to other Connecticut surgeons?
Dr. Nelson has performed 81 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Connecticut average of 49 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nelson ranks #19 out of 94 orthopedic surgeons in Connecticut.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nelson perform?
Dr. Nelson's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (59 cases) and hip replacement (22 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Nelson with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Nelson ranks #8 in Connecticut for knee replacement with 59 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 94 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Where is Dr. Nelson's practice located?
Dr. Nelson's current practice address is in Milford, CT. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Nelson's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Hamden, Connecticut.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nelson 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Nelson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 280 to 340 procedures against the 81 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. Nelson's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nelson's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 56 procedures in 2020 to 81 in the most recent data, a 45% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 83 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Nelson perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nelson's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (59 cases), hip replacement (22 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nelson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nelson is affiliated with Midstate Medical Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital.
How does Dr. Nelson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Hamden?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Hamden, Dr. Nelson ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Nelson has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nelson practices?
Midstate Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Yale-New Haven Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Bridgeport Hospital (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 Hamden, Connecticut
Dr. Nelson's 81 Medicare procedures are above the Hamden average of 50. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Hamden.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. John McCallum | 81 | Knee |
| Dr. John Irving | 69 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Padegimas | 45 | Shoulder |
| Dr. John Daigneault | 33 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Derek Shia | 23 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Kenoma Anighoro | 16 | Hip |
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.