Dr. Nathaniel Nelms, M.D.
Contact & Location
802-847-0000
South Burlington, VT 05403
About Dr. Nelms
Practice. Dr. Nathaniel Nelms is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in South Burlington, Vermont. The latest annual CMS data records 61 hip replacements and 57 knee replacements, 118 procedures in all. That is #1 in Vermont for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 56 procedures a year to 118, up 111%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 61 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. South Burlington has 3 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Nelms also holds hospital privileges in VT and NY, a practice that extends beyond Vermont.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26 | 30 |
| 2014 | 49 | 28 |
| 2015 | 58 | 25 |
| 2016 | 63 | 30 |
| 2017 | 67 | 47 |
| 2018 | 60 | 35 |
| 2019 | 73 | 42 |
| 2020 | 60 | 27 |
| 2021 | 60 | 46 |
| 2022 | 55 | 38 |
| 2023 | 59 | 53 |
| 2024 | 61 | 57 |
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. Nelms Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Vermont state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nelms's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 111% from 56 procedures in 2013 to 118 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Nelms
How does Dr. Nelms's procedure volume compare to other Vermont surgeons?
Dr. Nelms has performed 118 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Vermont average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nelms ranks #2 out of 15 orthopedic surgeons in Vermont.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nelms perform?
Dr. Nelms's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (61 cases) and knee replacement (57 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Nelms with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Nelms ranks #1 in Vermont for hip replacement with 61 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 15 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nelms in South Burlington?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in South Burlington 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 Vermont surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nelms 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. Nelms's total volume across all insurers at roughly 390 to 490 procedures against the 118 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. Nelms's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nelms's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 56 procedures in 2013 to 118 in the most recent data, a 111% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 118 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Nelms perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nelms's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (61 cases), knee replacement (57 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nelms affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nelms is affiliated with University Of Vermont Medical Center, Copley Hospital, Northwestern Medical Center Inc, Porter Hospital Inc, The University Of Vermont Health Network - Champl. Dr. Nelms maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Nelms compare to other orthopedic surgeons in South Burlington?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in South Burlington, Dr. Nelms ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Nelms has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nelms practices?
University Of Vermont Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Copley Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwestern Medical Center Inc (3 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 South Burlington, Vermont
Dr. Nelms's 118 Medicare procedures are above the South Burlington average of 94. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in South Burlington.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Mark Haimes | 83 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Blankstein | 80 | 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.