Dr. Nick Patel, M.D.
Contact & Location
302-655-9494
Wilmington, DE 19808
Dr. Patel performs more knee replacement procedures than 76% of orthopedic surgeons in Delaware, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #6 of 25 ranked knee surgeons in Delaware.
About Dr. Patel
Practice. Dr. Nick Patel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Wilmington, Delaware. The latest annual CMS data records 124 knee replacements and 73 hip replacements, 197 procedures in all. That is #6 in Delaware for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2015.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 5 years. Volume rose from 42 procedures a year to 197, up 369%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 124 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Wilmington has 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Patel also holds hospital privileges in DE and MD, a practice that extends beyond Delaware.
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 | 16 | 26 |
| 2021 | 29 | 29 |
| 2022 | 31 | 41 |
| 2023 | 49 | 54 |
| 2024 | 73 | 124 |
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. Patel Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Delaware state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Patel's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 369% from 42 procedures in 2020 to 197 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.
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.
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. Patel
How does Dr. Patel's procedure volume compare to other Delaware surgeons?
Dr. Patel has performed 197 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Delaware average of 101 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Patel ranks #5 out of 31 orthopedic surgeons in Delaware.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Patel perform?
Dr. Patel's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (124 cases) and hip replacement (73 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Patel with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Patel ranks #6 in Delaware for knee replacement with 124 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 31 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Patel in Wilmington?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Wilmington 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 Delaware surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Patel 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. Patel's total volume across all insurers at roughly 660 to 830 procedures against the 197 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. Patel's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Patel's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 42 procedures in 2020 to 197 in the most recent data, a 369% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 197 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Patel perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Patel's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (124 cases), hip replacement (73 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Patel affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Patel is affiliated with Christianacare, Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus, Union Hospital Of Cecil County. Dr. Patel maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Patel compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Wilmington?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Wilmington, Dr. Patel ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Patel is among the highest-volume surgeons in Wilmington.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Patel practices?
Christianacare (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Union Hospital Of Cecil County (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 Wilmington, Delaware
Dr. Patel's 197 Medicare procedures are above the Wilmington average of 154. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Wilmington.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Steven Dellose | 328 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Rubano | 284 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Craig Smucker | 54 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Galinat | 42 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Jeffrey Lynch | 19 | Shoulder |
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.