Dr. Gregory Nicholson, M.D.
Contact & Location
312-243-4244
Chicago, IL 60612
Dr. Nicholson performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #1 of 80 ranked shoulder surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Nicholson
Practice. Dr. Gregory Nicholson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chicago, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 90 shoulder replacements. That is #1 in Illinois for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 64 procedures a year to 90, up 41%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 90 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 29. That is #61 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.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 64 |
| 2014 | 92 |
| 2015 | 91 |
| 2016 | 116 |
| 2017 | 107 |
| 2018 | 102 |
| 2019 | 92 |
| 2020 | 85 |
| 2021 | 112 |
| 2022 | 101 |
| 2023 | 91 |
| 2024 | 90 |
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. Nicholson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nicholson's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 41% from 64 procedures in 2013 to 90 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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Nicholson
How does Dr. Nicholson's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Nicholson has performed 90 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nicholson ranks #86 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nicholson perform?
Dr. Nicholson's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 90 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Nicholson with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Nicholson ranks #1 in Illinois for shoulder replacement with 90 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 316 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nicholson 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. Nicholson 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. Nicholson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 240 to 310 procedures against the 90 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. Nicholson's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nicholson's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 64 procedures in 2013 to 90 in the most recent data, a 41% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 116 procedures in 2016.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nicholson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nicholson is affiliated with Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, Advocate Christ Hospital & Medical Center.
How does Dr. Nicholson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chicago?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Nicholson ranks #9 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. Nicholson practices?
Rush University Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Advocate Christ Hospital & Medical Center (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. Nicholson's 90 Medicare procedures are below the Chicago average of 214. 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.