Dr. Oliver Nikolaus, M.D.
Contact & Location
801-261-7479
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
Dr. Nikolaus performs more hip replacement procedures than 86% of orthopedic surgeons in Utah, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #6 of 45 ranked hip surgeons in Utah.
About Dr. Nikolaus
Practice. Dr. Oliver Nikolaus is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Salt Lake City, Utah. The latest annual CMS data records 53 hip replacements and 49 knee replacements, 102 procedures in all. That is #6 in Utah for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2012.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 64 procedures a year to 102, up 59%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 53 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Salt Lake City has 17 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 | 24 | 40 |
| 2018 | 50 | 71 |
| 2019 | 37 | 30 |
| 2020 | 33 | 22 |
| 2021 | 49 | 30 |
| 2022 | 81 | 67 |
| 2023 | 59 | 53 |
| 2024 | 53 | 49 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Nikolaus Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Utah state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nikolaus's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 59% from 64 procedures in 2017 to 102 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Nikolaus
How does Dr. Nikolaus's procedure volume compare to other Utah surgeons?
Dr. Nikolaus has performed 102 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Utah average of 58 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nikolaus ranks #15 out of 88 orthopedic surgeons in Utah.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nikolaus perform?
Dr. Nikolaus's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (53 cases) and knee replacement (49 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Nikolaus with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Nikolaus ranks #6 in Utah for hip replacement with 53 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 88 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nikolaus in Salt Lake City?
Yes. There are 17 orthopedic surgeons in Salt Lake City 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 Utah surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nikolaus 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Nikolaus's total volume across all insurers at roughly 340 to 430 procedures against the 102 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. Nikolaus's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nikolaus's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 64 procedures in 2017 to 102 in the most recent data, a 59% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 148 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Nikolaus perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nikolaus's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (53 cases), knee replacement (49 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nikolaus affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nikolaus is affiliated with St Mark'S Hospital.
How does Dr. Nikolaus compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Salt Lake City?
Among the 17 orthopedic surgeons in Salt Lake City, Dr. Nikolaus ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Salt Lake City has 111 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nikolaus practices?
St Mark'S 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 Salt Lake City, Utah
Dr. Nikolaus's 102 Medicare procedures are above the Salt Lake City average of 96. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Salt Lake City.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Peters | 111 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeremy Gililland | 110 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Pelt | 105 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Bergeson | 105 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Russell Nelson | 74 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Jackson | 64 | Knee, Shoulder |
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.