Dr. James Nelson, M.D.
Contact & Location
320-762-1144
Alexandria, MN 56308
Dr. Nelson performs more knee replacement procedures than 48% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #74 of 144 ranked knee surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Nelson
Practice. Dr. James Nelson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Alexandria, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 24 knee replacements and 22 hip replacements, 46 procedures in all. That is #74 in Minnesota for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Dr. Nelson first appears in the Medicare data in 2023. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 24 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Alexandria has 5 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 34 procedures in 2023 and 46 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Nelson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nelson has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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.
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.
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. Nelson
How does Dr. Nelson's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Nelson has performed 46 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Minnesota average of 43 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nelson ranks #66 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nelson perform?
Dr. Nelson's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (24 cases) and hip replacement (22 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nelson in Alexandria?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Alexandria 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 Minnesota surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nelson 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. Nelson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 150 to 190 procedures against the 46 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.
Does Dr. Nelson perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nelson's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (24 cases), hip replacement (22 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nelson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nelson is affiliated with Alomere Health, Centracare- Rice Memorial Hospital, Glacial Ridge Hospital, Centracare - Benson, Lake Region Healthcare Corporation.
How does Dr. Nelson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Alexandria?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Alexandria, Dr. Nelson ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Nelson is among the highest-volume surgeons in Alexandria.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nelson practices?
Alomere Health (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Centracare- Rice Memorial Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Glacial Ridge Hospital (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 Alexandria, Minnesota
Dr. Nelson's 46 Medicare procedures are above the Alexandria average of 42. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Alexandria.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Dennis Weigel | 74 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Nelson | 61 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Emily Monroe | 16 | Knee |
| Dr. Aaron Balgaard | 15 | 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.