#27 in Virginia
Shoulder

Dr. Nicholas Sablan, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery
29 procedures 3 hospitals Hampton, VA
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Rising Star
Shoulder replacement recovery kit Slings, cold therapy, and adaptive clothing for recovery
National Comparison by Procedure
Shoulder 29 vs 28 avg (2,092 surgeons)

Dr. Nicholas Sablan is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Hampton, Virginia. Dr. Sablan has performed 29 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #27 in Virginia.

In Virginia, Dr. Sablan performs near average in shoulder (29 vs 34 avg).

Dr. Sablan's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 29 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.

Hampton is home to 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Hampton area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Medicare records for Dr. Sablan extend back to 2013, covering 9 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 13 to 29 in the most recent data, a 123% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.

Among 2,092 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Sablan's 29 verified procedures is near the national average of 28.

Verified Medicare Cases

Shoulder Replacement
29 verified cases
#27 in Virginia
Estimated total: 80 – 90 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
How is this estimated?

Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.

How Dr. Sablan Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Virginia state average.

Shoulder Average
29 Avg: 34
Dr. Sablan Virginia Average

Contact & Location

901 Enterprise Pkwy
Hampton, VA 23666
NPI: 1215116207
Credentials: M.D.
Active Medicare provider
Find Practice on Google Maps

Volume Trend Analysis

Dr. Sablan's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 123% from 13 procedures in 2013 to 29 in the most recent data.

Years of Data 9
2023 Volume 29
Peak Volume 29 (2023)
Trend Growing

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Sentara Careplex Hospital
★★★★☆
Hampton, VA
Low case volume
H
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
★★★★☆
Williamsburg, VA
Similar to national avg
H
Riverside Doctors' Hospital Of Williamsburg
★★★★☆
Williamsburg, VA
Similar to national avg

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.

Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:

Week 1-3 Arm in a sling for protection. Gentle pendulum exercises under therapist guidance. Focus on pain management and wound care.
Week 4-6 Gradual sling weaning. Begin passive and active-assisted range-of-motion exercises. Light daily activities resume.
Week 7-12 Active range-of-motion exercises. Light strengthening begins. Most patients can drive and perform desk work.
Month 4-6 Progressive strengthening continues. Return to most activities. Full recovery may take 6-12 months for complete shoulder strength.

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. Sablan

How does Dr. Sablan's procedure volume compare to other Virginia surgeons?

Dr. Sablan has performed 29 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Virginia average is 83 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Sablan ranks #160 out of 223 orthopedic surgeons in Virginia.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sablan perform?

Dr. Sablan's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 29 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sablan in Hampton?

Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Hampton 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 Virginia surgeons.

What does the Medicare data for Dr. Sablan represent?

The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Sablan's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 29 procedures shown here.

Has Dr. Sablan's procedure volume changed over time?

Yes. Dr. Sablan's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2013 to 29 in the most recent data, a 123% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 29 procedures in 2023.

Which hospitals is Dr. Sablan affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sablan is affiliated with Sentara Careplex Hospital, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Riverside Doctors' Hospital Of Williamsburg.

How does Dr. Sablan compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Hampton?

Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Hampton, Dr. Sablan ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Hampton has 207 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sablan practices?

Sentara Careplex Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Riverside Doctors' Hospital Of Williamsburg (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 Hampton, Virginia

Dr. Sablan's 29 Medicare procedures are below the Hampton average of 122. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Hampton.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. Michael Higgins 207 Hip, Knee
Dr. Colin Kingston 134 Hip, Knee
Dr. Loel Payne 119 Knee, Shoulder

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Nicholas Sablan, M.D. -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/va/dr-nicholas-sablan-hampton.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/va/dr-nicholas-sablan-hampton.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.