Dr. Nicholas Brown, M.D.
Contact & Location
319-400-4327
Maywood, IL 60153
Dr. Brown performs more hip replacement procedures than 58% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #77 of 184 ranked hip surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Brown
Dr. Nicholas Brown is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Maywood, Illinois. A Medicare provider since 2011, Dr. Brown performed 36 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#77 in Illinois) and 31 knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 67 procedures.
In Illinois, Dr. Brown performs near the state average in hip (36 vs 39), below the state average in knee (31 vs 50).
Dr. Brown's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (36 cases) and knee replacements (31 cases).
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Brown holds additional credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Maywood is home to 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Maywood area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Brown extend back to 2016, covering 9 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 37 to 67 in the most recent data, a 81% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Brown's 36 verified procedures is near the national average of 36.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 16 | 21 |
| 2017 | 47 | 39 |
| 2018 | 0 | 12 |
| 2019 | 18 | 20 |
| 2020 | 14 | 31 |
| 2021 | 23 | 24 |
| 2022 | 21 | 38 |
| 2023 | 37 | 34 |
| 2024 | 36 | 31 |
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. Brown Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Brown's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 81% from 37 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Brown
How does Dr. Brown's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Brown has performed 67 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Brown ranks #124 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Brown perform?
Dr. Brown's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (36 cases) and knee replacement (31 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Brown in Maywood?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Maywood 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. Brown 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. Brown's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 280 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. Brown's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Brown's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 37 procedures in 2016 to 67 in the most recent data, a 81% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 86 procedures in 2017.
Does Dr. Brown perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Brown's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (36 cases), knee replacement (31 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Brown affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Brown is affiliated with Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola Gottlieb Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Brown compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Maywood?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Maywood, Dr. Brown ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Brown is among the highest-volume surgeons in Maywood.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Brown practices?
Loyola University Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Loyola Gottlieb Memorial Hospital (2 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 Maywood, Illinois
Dr. Brown's 67 Medicare procedures are above the Maywood average of 48. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Maywood.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Harold Rees | 73 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Schmitt | 47 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nickolas Garbis | 39 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Dane Salazar | 31 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Cameron Killen | 30 | 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.