Dr. Russell Nelson, M.D.
Contact & Location
801-747-1020
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Dr. Nelson performs more knee replacement procedures than 69% of orthopedic surgeons in Utah, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #21 of 69 ranked knee surgeons in Utah.
About Dr. Nelson
Practice. Dr. Russell Nelson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Salt Lake City, Utah. The latest annual CMS data records 49 knee replacements and 25 hip replacements, 74 procedures in all. That is #21 in Utah for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 49 procedures a year to 74, up 51%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 49 procedures is near the national average of 45.
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 | 17 | 32 |
| 2014 | 0 | 34 |
| 2015 | 15 | 33 |
| 2016 | 19 | 38 |
| 2017 | 33 | 49 |
| 2018 | 21 | 40 |
| 2019 | 26 | 50 |
| 2020 | 14 | 44 |
| 2021 | 27 | 51 |
| 2022 | 23 | 57 |
| 2023 | 13 | 53 |
| 2024 | 25 | 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 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. Nelson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Utah state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nelson's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 51% from 49 procedures in 2013 to 74 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.
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. Nelson
How does Dr. Nelson's procedure volume compare to other Utah surgeons?
Dr. Nelson has performed 74 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Utah average of 58 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nelson ranks #25 out of 88 orthopedic surgeons in Utah.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nelson perform?
Dr. Nelson's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (49 cases) and hip replacement (25 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nelson 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. Nelson 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. Nelson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 250 to 310 procedures against the 74 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. Nelson's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nelson's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 49 procedures in 2013 to 74 in the most recent data, a 51% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 82 procedures in 2017.
Does Dr. Nelson perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nelson's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (49 cases), hip replacement (25 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nelson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nelson is affiliated with St Mark'S Hospital, Intermountain Health Lds Hospital, Intermountain Health Intermountain Medical Center.
How does Dr. Nelson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Salt Lake City?
Among the 17 orthopedic surgeons in Salt Lake City, Dr. Nelson ranks #6 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. Nelson practices?
St Mark'S Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Intermountain Health Lds Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Intermountain Health Intermountain Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). 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. Nelson's 74 Medicare procedures are below 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. Oliver Nikolaus | 102 | 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.