Dr. Denis Nam, M.D., M.Sc.
Contact & Location
708-236-2600
Chicago, IL 60612
Dr. Nam performs more knee replacement procedures than 99% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #2 of 251 ranked knee surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Nam
Practice. Dr. Denis Nam is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chicago, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 255 knee replacements and 63 hip replacements, 318 procedures in all. That is #2 in Illinois for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 18 procedures a year to 318, up 1667%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 255 procedures is more than 5x the national average of 45. That is #24 nationally.
Local context. Chicago has 41 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Nam also holds hospital privileges in IL and IN, a practice that extends beyond Illinois.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 18 |
| 2014 | 24 | 52 |
| 2015 | 49 | 77 |
| 2016 | 26 | 48 |
| 2017 | 88 | 194 |
| 2018 | 135 | 283 |
| 2019 | 146 | 260 |
| 2020 | 116 | 247 |
| 2021 | 120 | 270 |
| 2022 | 99 | 272 |
| 2023 | 68 | 240 |
| 2024 | 63 | 255 |
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. Nam Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nam's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 1667% from 18 procedures in 2013 to 318 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. Nam
How does Dr. Nam's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Nam has performed 318 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nam ranks #2 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nam perform?
Dr. Nam's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (255 cases) and hip replacement (63 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Nam with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Nam ranks #2 in Illinois for knee replacement with 255 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 316 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nam in Chicago?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago 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 Illinois surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nam 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. Nam's total volume across all insurers at roughly 1,100 to 1,360 procedures against the 318 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. Nam's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nam's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 18 procedures in 2013 to 318 in the most recent data, a 1667% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 418 procedures in 2018.
Does Dr. Nam perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nam's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (255 cases), hip replacement (63 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nam affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nam is affiliated with Rush University Medical Center, Community Hospital, St Mary Medical Center Inc, Franciscan Health Michigan City. Dr. Nam maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Nam compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chicago?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Nam ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Nam has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nam practices?
Rush University Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Community Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Mary Medical Center Inc (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 Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Nam's 318 Medicare procedures are above the Chicago average of 219. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chicago.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Vasili Karas | 287 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Raju Ghate | 257 | Knee |
| Dr. Hany Bedair | 249 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Tad Gerlinger | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Hardt | 141 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Hue Luu | 123 | 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.