Dr. Nicholas Capito, M.D.
Contact & Location
706-863-9797
Augusta, GA 30909
Dr. Capito performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #1 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Capito
Practice. Dr. Nicholas Capito is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Augusta, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 67 shoulder replacements. That is #1 in Georgia for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 33 procedures a year to 67, up 103%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 67 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 29. That is #140 nationally.
Local context. Augusta has 14 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Capito also holds hospital privileges in GA and SC, a practice that extends beyond Georgia.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 15 | 18 |
| 2017 | 28 | 24 |
| 2018 | 0 | 24 |
| 2019 | 0 | 45 |
| 2020 | 0 | 46 |
| 2021 | 0 | 48 |
| 2022 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 56 |
| 2024 | 0 | 67 |
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. Capito Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Capito's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 103% from 33 procedures in 2016 to 67 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 step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Capito
How does Dr. Capito's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Capito has performed 67 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Georgia average of 55 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Capito ranks #66 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Capito perform?
Dr. Capito's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 67 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Capito with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Capito ranks #1 in Georgia for shoulder replacement with 67 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 245 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Capito in Augusta?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in Augusta 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 Georgia surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Capito 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. Capito's total volume across all insurers at roughly 180 to 230 procedures against the 67 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. Capito's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Capito's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 33 procedures in 2016 to 67 in the most recent data, a 103% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 67 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Capito affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Capito is affiliated with Burke Medical Center, Aiken Regional Medical Center, Doctors Hospital, Wellstar Mcg Health, Affiliated With Med Col. Dr. Capito maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Capito compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Augusta?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Augusta, Dr. Capito ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Augusta has 194 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Capito practices?
Burke Medical Center (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Aiken Regional Medical Center (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Doctors Hospital (2 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 Augusta, Georgia
Dr. Capito's 67 Medicare procedures are below the Augusta average of 106. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Augusta.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Terry Arrington | 194 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Randall Meredith | 192 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Franklin | 113 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Raley | 68 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Douglas Phillips | 61 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. John Bojescul | 45 | 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.