Dr. Nicolas Piuzzi, M.D.
Contact & Location
216-444-2200
Cleveland, OH 44195
Dr. Piuzzi performs more knee replacement procedures than 71% of orthopedic surgeons in Ohio, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #88 of 305 ranked knee surgeons in Ohio.
About Dr. Piuzzi
Practice. Dr. Nicolas Piuzzi is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Cleveland, Ohio. The latest annual CMS data records 50 knee replacements and 23 hip replacements, 73 procedures in all. That is #88 in Ohio for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume rose from 29 procedures a year to 73, up 152%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 50 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Cleveland has 42 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 17 | 12 |
| 2020 | 24 | 33 |
| 2021 | 28 | 39 |
| 2022 | 29 | 44 |
| 2023 | 39 | 45 |
| 2024 | 23 | 50 |
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. Piuzzi Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Ohio state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Piuzzi's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 152% from 29 procedures in 2019 to 73 in the most recent data.
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.
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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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.
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. Piuzzi
How does Dr. Piuzzi's procedure volume compare to other Ohio surgeons?
Dr. Piuzzi has performed 73 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Ohio average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Piuzzi ranks #107 out of 370 orthopedic surgeons in Ohio.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Piuzzi perform?
Dr. Piuzzi's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (50 cases) and hip replacement (23 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Piuzzi in Cleveland?
Yes. There are 42 orthopedic surgeons in Cleveland 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. Piuzzi 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. Piuzzi's total volume across all insurers at roughly 250 to 310 procedures against the 73 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.
Has Dr. Piuzzi's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Piuzzi's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 29 procedures in 2019 to 73 in the most recent data, a 152% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 84 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Piuzzi perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Piuzzi's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (50 cases), hip replacement (23 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Piuzzi affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Piuzzi is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic, Lutheran Hospital, Marymount Hospital, Hillcrest Hospital, Euclid Hospital.
How does Dr. Piuzzi compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Cleveland?
Among the 42 orthopedic surgeons in Cleveland, Dr. Piuzzi ranks #16 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Cleveland has 239 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Piuzzi practices?
Cleveland Clinic (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Lutheran Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Marymount 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 Cleveland, Ohio
Dr. Piuzzi's 73 Medicare procedures are below the Cleveland average of 162. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Cleveland.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Bloomfield | 239 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Molloy | 197 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Trevor Murray | 186 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Erossy | 160 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kim Stearns | 151 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Denzine | 127 | 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.