Dr. Ellis Nam, M.D.
Contact & Location
773-433-3130
Chicago, IL 60657
Dr. Nam performs more knee replacement procedures than 23% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #192 of 251 ranked knee surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Nam
Practice. Dr. Ellis Nam is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chicago, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 20 knee replacements and 14 shoulder replacements, 34 procedures in all. That is #192 in Illinois for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 34, up 162%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 20 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 13 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 0 |
| 2015 | 28 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 22 | 0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 0 |
| 2023 | 18 | 0 |
| 2024 | 20 | 14 |
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, 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. Nam Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nam's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 162% from 13 procedures in 2013 to 34 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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 34 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Illinois average is 69 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Nam ranks #201 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 (20 cases) and shoulder replacement (14 cases).
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Nam's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 34 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 13 procedures in 2013 to 34 in the most recent data, a 162% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 34 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Nam perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nam's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (20 cases), shoulder replacement (14 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 Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
How does Dr. Nam compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chicago?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Nam ranks #22 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Chicago has 318 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nam practices?
Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Nam's 34 Medicare procedures are below the Chicago average of 206. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chicago.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Denis Nam | 318 | Hip, Knee |
| 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 |
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.