Dr. James Nuttall, M.D.
Contact & Location
281-829-2000
Houston, TX 77094
Houston, TX 77092
Houston, TX 77001
Dr. Nuttall performs more knee replacement procedures than 26% of orthopedic surgeons in Texas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #358 of 489 ranked knee surgeons in Texas.
About Dr. Nuttall
Practice. Dr. James Nuttall is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Houston, Texas. The latest annual CMS data records 20 knee replacements and 12 hip replacements, 32 procedures in all. That is #358 in Texas for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 5 years. Volume rose from 14 procedures a year to 32, up 129%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 20 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Houston has 52 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Nuttall also holds hospital privileges in IN and TX, a practice that extends beyond Texas.
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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 14 |
| 2021 | 15 | 22 |
| 2022 | 12 | 0 |
| 2023 | 20 | 26 |
| 2024 | 12 | 20 |
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. Nuttall Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nuttall's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 129% from 14 procedures in 2020 to 32 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.
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 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. Nuttall
How does Dr. Nuttall's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Nuttall has performed 32 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Texas average is 57 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Nuttall ranks #349 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nuttall perform?
Dr. Nuttall's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (20 cases) and hip replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nuttall in Houston?
Yes. There are 52 orthopedic surgeons in Houston 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 Texas surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nuttall 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. Nuttall's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 130 procedures against the 32 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. Nuttall's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nuttall's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 14 procedures in 2020 to 32 in the most recent data, a 129% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 46 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Nuttall perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nuttall's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (20 cases), hip replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nuttall affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nuttall is affiliated with Harrison County Hospital, Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, Reid Health. Dr. Nuttall maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Nuttall compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Houston?
Among the 52 orthopedic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Nuttall ranks #34 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Houston has 340 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nuttall practices?
Harrison County Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Reid Health (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 Houston, Texas
Dr. Nuttall's 32 Medicare procedures are below the Houston average of 170. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Houston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Stefan Kreuzer | 340 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Vasilios Mathews | 229 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gregory Stocks | 168 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robin Goytia | 153 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ugonna Ihekweazu | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jay Croley | 133 | 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.