Dr. Nicholas Lesmeister, M.D.
Contact & Location
218-829-7812
Brainerd, MN 56401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Dr. Lesmeister performs more hip replacement procedures than 51% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #52 of 107 ranked hip surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Lesmeister
Practice. Dr. Nicholas Lesmeister is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Brainerd, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 20 hip replacements. That is #52 in Minnesota for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2014.
Trend. Dr. Lesmeister first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 20 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Brainerd has 3 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 1 year: 20 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 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. Lesmeister Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Lesmeister
How does Dr. Lesmeister's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Lesmeister has performed 20 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Minnesota average is 43 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Lesmeister ranks #127 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Lesmeister perform?
Dr. Lesmeister's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 20 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Lesmeister in Brainerd?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Brainerd 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. Lesmeister 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, which puts Dr. Lesmeister's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 80 procedures against the 20 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Lesmeister affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Lesmeister is affiliated with Essentia Health St Joseph'S Medical Center.
How does Dr. Lesmeister compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Brainerd?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Brainerd, Dr. Lesmeister ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Lesmeister is among the highest-volume surgeons in Brainerd.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Lesmeister practices?
Essentia Health St Joseph'S Medical Center (5 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 Brainerd, Minnesota
Dr. Lesmeister's 20 Medicare procedures are below the Brainerd average of 28. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Brainerd.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Metz | 51 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Amy Lelwica | 14 | 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.