Dr. Nicholas Slenker, M.D.
Contact & Location
610-861-8080
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Dr. Slenker performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 43% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #54 of 95 ranked shoulder surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Slenker
Practice. Dr. Nicholas Slenker is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 20 shoulder replacements. That is #54 in Pennsylvania for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Dr. Slenker first appears in the Medicare data in 2022. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 20 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Bethlehem has 18 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 2 years: 15 procedures in 2022 and 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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Slenker Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in Pennsylvania
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Slenker has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2022. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Slenker
How does Dr. Slenker's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Slenker has performed 20 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Pennsylvania average is 66 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Slenker ranks #312 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Slenker perform?
Dr. Slenker's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder 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. Slenker in Bethlehem?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem 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 Pennsylvania surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Slenker 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Slenker's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 70 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. Slenker affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Slenker is affiliated with Lehigh Valley Hospital, St Luke'S Hospital Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Macungie, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono.
How does Dr. Slenker compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem, Dr. Slenker ranks #13 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Bethlehem has 258 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Slenker practices?
Lehigh Valley Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Luke'S Hospital Bethlehem (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 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Dr. Slenker's 20 Medicare procedures are below the Bethlehem average of 117. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bethlehem.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Thomas Meade | 258 | Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Brogle | 159 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Ferrante | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chinenye Nwachuku | 116 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Konopitski | 66 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wayne Luchetti | 61 | 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.