Who is the top-ranked shoulder replacement surgeon in Illinois?

Gregory Nicholson in Chicago is the highest-volume shoulder replacement surgeon in Illinois with 91 Medicare procedures. Our rankings list 25 Illinois surgeons by verified Medicare procedure volume. High-volume surgeons are associated with better outcomes and fewer complications.

How many shoulder replacement surgeons are in Illinois?

Illinois has 25 orthopedic surgeons who perform shoulder replacement, with a combined 1,361 Medicare procedures. The average surgeon in our Illinois shoulder replacement rankings performs 54 procedures annually. Top cities include Chicago, Peoria, Saint Louis.

What is the average cost of shoulder replacement in Illinois?

For Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois, out-of-pocket costs for shoulder replacement typically range from $1,500-$4,500 after meeting your deductible. Costs depend on your hospital choice, whether you have outpatient vs. inpatient surgery, and your specific Medicare plan. Reverse shoulder replacement may cost slightly more than anatomic replacement.

Does Medicare cover shoulder replacement surgery in Illinois?

Yes, Medicare Part A and Part B cover medically necessary shoulder replacement surgery in Illinois. Coverage includes the surgery, hospital stay, anesthesia, physical therapy, and durable medical equipment. You'll pay 20% coinsurance after meeting your Part B deductible. All 25 Illinois surgeons in our rankings accept Medicare assignment.

How do I choose the right shoulder replacement surgeon in Illinois?

Compare Illinois shoulder replacement surgeons by: (1) Medicare procedure volume — the top surgeon in Illinois performs 91 procedures; (2) Board certification in orthopedic surgery; (3) Fellowship training in joint replacement; (4) Hospital quality ratings; (5) Use of modern techniques like reverse shoulder replacement when appropriate; (6) Proximity to your home.

What is the recovery time for shoulder replacement?

Initial recovery from shoulder replacement takes 6-8 weeks with arm support in a sling. Full recovery including strength and range of motion takes 6-12 months. Physical therapy typically continues for 3-6 months. Illinois shoulder surgeons provide comprehensive rehabilitation protocols.

Why does surgeon procedure volume matter for shoulder replacement?

Medical research consistently shows that high-volume shoulder replacement surgeons achieve better patient outcomes. Studies published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that surgeons performing 50+ procedures annually have lower complication rates, fewer revision surgeries, and higher patient satisfaction. Our Illinois rankings use verified Medicare data to help you identify the most experienced surgeons.

Which cities in Illinois have the best shoulder replacement surgeons?

The top cities for shoulder replacement surgery in Illinois include Chicago, Peoria, Saint Louis. These cities have the highest concentration of experienced shoulder replacement surgeons based on Medicare procedure volume data. We provide city-specific rankings to help you find qualified surgeons near you.

25 Best Shoulder Replacement Surgeons in Illinois

1

State Rank

NPI: 1477532141

Gregory Nicholson

Chicago

IL

91

Verified Cases

1477532141

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

2

State Rank

NPI: 1689692642

Jay Keener, MD

Saint Louis

MO

Also practices here via Herrin Hospital

83

Verified Cases

1689692642

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

3

State Rank

NPI: 1861490450

Paul Perry, M.D.

Evansville

IN

Also practices here via Wabash General Hospital 1

81

Verified Cases

1861490450

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

4

State Rank

NPI: 1134138027

Rolando Izquierdo

Algonquin

IL

74

Verified Cases

1134138027

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

5

State Rank

NPI: 1588989164

Robert Thorsness

Joliet

IL

72

Verified Cases

1588989164

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

6

State Rank

NPI: 1699930792

Matthew Saltzman, MD

Seattle

WA

Also practices here via Northwestern Memorial Hospital

72

Verified Cases

1699930792

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

7

State Rank

NPI: 1902869670

Aaron Bare

Warrenville

IL

71

Verified Cases

1902869670

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

8

State Rank

NPI: 1609040575

Grant Garrigues

Chicago

IL

70

Verified Cases

1609040575

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

9

State Rank

NPI: 1265850309

Benjamin Zmistowski, MD

Saint Louis

MO

Also practices here via Sparta Community Hospital

67

Verified Cases

1265850309

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

10

State Rank

NPI: 1306951553

Scott Trenhaile

Rockford

IL

66

Verified Cases

1306951553

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

11

State Rank

NPI: 1114928942

Michael Merkley

Peoria

IL

64

Verified Cases

1114928942

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

12

State Rank

NPI: 1588650006

Craig Cummins

Barrington

IL

61

Verified Cases

1588650006

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

13

State Rank

NPI: 1982867388

Miguel Ramirez

Peoria

IL

59

Verified Cases

1982867388

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

14

State Rank

NPI: 1003817792

Brent Johnson

Peoria

IL

50

Verified Cases

1003817792

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

15

State Rank

NPI: 1598870115

Treg Brown

Herrin

IL

43

Verified Cases

1598870115

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

16

State Rank

NPI: 1801079652

Dane Salazar

Maywood

IL

38

Verified Cases

1801079652

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

17

State Rank

NPI: 1023082328

Guido Marra

Chicago

IL

36

Verified Cases

1023082328

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

18

State Rank

NPI: 1154308856

Arif Saleem

Aurora

IL

35

Verified Cases

1154308856

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

19

State Rank

NPI: 1700049038

Thomas Obermeyer

Schaumburg

IL

34

Verified Cases

1700049038

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

20

State Rank

NPI: 1871507889

Gregory Drake

Elk Grove Village

IL

34

Verified Cases

1871507889

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

21

State Rank

NPI: 1205049061

Edward Joy

Tinley Park

IL

33

Verified Cases

1205049061

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

22

State Rank

NPI: 1497826853

Lewis Shi

Chicago

IL

33

Verified Cases

1497826853

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

23

State Rank

NPI: 1750537452

Nickolas Garbis

Maywood

IL

32

Verified Cases

1750537452

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

24

State Rank

NPI: 1033371992

Charles Lehmann

Belleville

IL

31

Verified Cases

1033371992

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

25

State Rank

NPI: 1790342194

Kevin Rasuli

Chicago

IL

31

Verified Cases

1790342194

NPI

Procedure:

Shoulder Replacement

TOP 25 Shoulder Replacement Surgeons in Illinois

How to Read This Data

Gregory Nicholson

Jay Keener, MD

Paul Perry, M.D.

Rolando Izquierdo

Robert Thorsness

Matthew Saltzman, MD

Aaron Bare

Grant Garrigues

Benjamin Zmistowski, MD

Scott Trenhaile

Michael Merkley

Craig Cummins

Miguel Ramirez

Brent Johnson

Treg Brown

Dane Salazar

Guido Marra

Arif Saleem

Thomas Obermeyer

Gregory Drake

Edward Joy

Lewis Shi

Nickolas Garbis

Charles Lehmann

Kevin Rasuli

Important Disclaimer

Other Procedures in Illinois

Major Cities in Illinois

Resources & Information