Dr. George Nichols, M.D.
Contact & Location
772-794-1444
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Dr. Nichols performs more knee replacement procedures than 46% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #219 of 406 ranked knee surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Nichols
Practice. Dr. George Nichols is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Vero Beach, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 30 knee replacements and 12 hip replacements, 42 procedures in all. That is #219 in Florida for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 260 in 2015 and stands at 42 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 30 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Vero Beach has 12 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 73 | 154 | 21 |
| 2014 | 61 | 143 | 27 |
| 2015 | 84 | 147 | 29 |
| 2016 | 59 | 140 | 24 |
| 2017 | 67 | 118 | 22 |
| 2018 | 84 | 109 | 20 |
| 2019 | 67 | 97 | 17 |
| 2020 | 47 | 54 | 21 |
| 2021 | 39 | 68 | 16 |
| 2022 | 36 | 58 | 14 |
| 2023 | 32 | 56 | 11 |
| 2024 | 12 | 30 | 0 |
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. Nichols Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nichols's recorded volume peaked at 260 procedures in 2015 and stood at 42 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.
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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Nichols
How does Dr. Nichols's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Nichols has performed 42 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Florida average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Nichols ranks #301 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nichols perform?
Dr. Nichols's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (30 cases) and hip replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nichols in Vero Beach?
Yes. There are 12 orthopedic surgeons in Vero Beach 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 Florida surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nichols 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. Nichols's total volume across all insurers at roughly 140 to 180 procedures against the 42 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. Nichols's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Nichols's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 260 procedures in 2015 and was 42 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.
Does Dr. Nichols perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nichols's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (30 cases), hip replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nichols affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nichols is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.
How does Dr. Nichols compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Vero Beach?
Among the 12 orthopedic surgeons in Vero Beach, Dr. Nichols ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Vero Beach has 217 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nichols practices?
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital (4 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 Vero Beach, Florida
Dr. Nichols's 42 Medicare procedures are below the Vero Beach average of 92. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Vero Beach.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jason Stack | 217 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Alfredo Arrojas | 122 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Steinfeld | 111 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Carl Dilella | 88 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Clay Greeson | 33 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Plessl | 33 | 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.