Dr. Nickolas Van Roekel, M.D.
Contact & Location
402-436-2000
Lincoln, NE 68510
Lincoln, NE 68510
Dr. Van Roekel performs more hip replacement procedures than 22% of orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #31 of 40 ranked hip surgeons in Nebraska.
About Dr. Van Roekel
Practice. Dr. Nickolas Van Roekel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lincoln, Nebraska. The latest annual CMS data records 21 hip replacements and 12 knee replacements, 33 procedures in all. That is #31 in Nebraska for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2018.
Trend. Dr. Van Roekel 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, 21 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Lincoln has 19 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: 33 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, 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. Van Roekel Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Nebraska 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.
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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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.
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. Van Roekel
How does Dr. Van Roekel's procedure volume compare to other Nebraska surgeons?
Dr. Van Roekel has performed 33 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Nebraska average is 81 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Van Roekel ranks #56 out of 72 orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Van Roekel perform?
Dr. Van Roekel's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (21 cases) and knee replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Van Roekel in Lincoln?
Yes. There are 19 orthopedic surgeons in Lincoln 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 Nebraska surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Van Roekel 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. Van Roekel's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 33 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. Van Roekel perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Van Roekel's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (21 cases), knee replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Van Roekel affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Van Roekel is affiliated with Johnson County Hospital, Lincoln Surgical Hospital, Chi Health St Elizabeth, Bryan Medical Center, Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center, Inc.
How does Dr. Van Roekel compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lincoln?
Among the 19 orthopedic surgeons in Lincoln, Dr. Van Roekel ranks #14 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Lincoln has 283 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Van Roekel practices?
Johnson County Hospital (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Lincoln Surgical Hospital (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Chi Health St Elizabeth (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 Lincoln, Nebraska
Dr. Van Roekel's 33 Medicare procedures are below the Lincoln average of 153. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lincoln.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. James Gallentine | 283 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sukchan Lee | 193 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Douglas Koch | 174 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. David Clare | 148 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Benjamin Woodhead | 131 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Brad Webb | 111 | 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.