Dr. Christopher Nelson, D.O.
Contact & Location
515-224-1414
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Dr. Nelson performs more hip replacement procedures than 93% of orthopedic surgeons in Iowa, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #4 of 65 ranked hip surgeons in Iowa.
About Dr. Nelson
Practice. Dr. Christopher Nelson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in West Des Moines, Iowa. The latest annual CMS data records 87 hip replacements and 57 knee replacements, 144 procedures in all. That is #4 in Iowa for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 18 procedures a year to 144, up 700%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 87 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.
Local context. West Des Moines has 11 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 | 18 | 0 |
| 2014 | 27 | 15 |
| 2015 | 24 | 22 |
| 2016 | 30 | 28 |
| 2017 | 39 | 22 |
| 2018 | 39 | 34 |
| 2019 | 49 | 45 |
| 2020 | 43 | 34 |
| 2021 | 59 | 35 |
| 2022 | 58 | 47 |
| 2023 | 68 | 59 |
| 2024 | 87 | 57 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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 Iowa state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nelson's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 700% from 18 procedures in 2013 to 144 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Nelson
How does Dr. Nelson's procedure volume compare to other Iowa surgeons?
Dr. Nelson has performed 144 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Iowa average of 73 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nelson ranks #11 out of 105 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nelson perform?
Dr. Nelson's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (87 cases) and knee replacement (57 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Nelson with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Nelson ranks #4 in Iowa for hip replacement with 87 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 105 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nelson in West Des Moines?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines 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 Iowa surgeons.
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Nelson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 470 to 600 procedures against the 144 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 18 procedures in 2013 to 144 in the most recent data, a 700% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 144 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Nelson perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nelson's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (87 cases), knee replacement (57 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 Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi, Guthrie County Hospital, Greene County Medical Center, Boone County Hospital.
How does Dr. Nelson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines, Dr. Nelson ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Nelson is among the highest-volume surgeons in West Des Moines.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nelson practices?
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Greene County Medical Center (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in West Des Moines, Iowa
Dr. Nelson's 144 Medicare procedures are above the West Des Moines average of 115. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in West Des Moines.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Barron Bremner | 170 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Dewall | 156 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Dulaney | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kary Schulte | 92 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Nicholas Honkamp | 65 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Kawsu Barry | 62 | 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.