Dr. Nicholas Early, MD
Contact & Location
Cincinnati, OH 45245
Dr. Nicholas Early is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Early has performed 11 Medicare-verified knee replacements, ranking #300 in Ohio.
In Ohio, Dr. Early performs below average in knee (11 vs 41 avg).
Dr. Early's Medicare data shows a focused knee replacement practice with 11 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Cincinnati is home to 41 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Cincinnati area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Early first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2024. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Early's 11 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,599 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
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 the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Early's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 11 procedures shown here.
Which hospitals is Dr. Early affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Early is affiliated with Christ Hospital.
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). 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.