Dr. Nicholas Early, M.D.
Contact & Location
513-232-2663
Cincinnati, OH 45245
Cincinnati, OH 45255
Dr. Early performs more knee replacement procedures than 1% of orthopedic surgeons in Ohio, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #300 of 305 ranked knee surgeons in Ohio.
About Dr. Early
Practice. Dr. Nicholas Early is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Cincinnati, Ohio. The latest annual CMS data records 11 knee replacements. That is #300 in Ohio for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Dr. Early first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 11 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Cincinnati has 41 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Early also holds hospital privileges in OH and KY, a practice that extends beyond Ohio.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 11 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. 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. Early Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Ohio 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 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Early
How does Dr. Early's procedure volume compare to other Ohio surgeons?
Dr. Early has performed 11 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Ohio average is 59 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Early ranks #364 out of 370 orthopedic surgeons in Ohio.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Early perform?
Dr. Early's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 11 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Early in Cincinnati?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in Cincinnati 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 Ohio surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Early 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, which puts Dr. Early's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 11 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. Early affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Early is affiliated with Christ Hospital, Bethesda North, Mercy Health - West Hospital, St Elizabeth Medical Center North. Dr. Early maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Early compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Cincinnati?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Cincinnati, Dr. Early ranks #41 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Cincinnati has 264 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Early practices?
Christ Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Bethesda North (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Mercy Health - West Hospital (4 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 Cincinnati, Ohio
Dr. Early's 11 Medicare procedures are below the Cincinnati average of 147. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Cincinnati.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Swank | 264 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathon Spanyer | 161 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Kirk | 151 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Haleem Chaudhary | 150 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Suresh Nayak | 150 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jacob Gunzenhaeuser | 142 | 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.