Dr. Mathew Nicholls, M.D.
Contact & Location
425-637-1855
Bellevue, WA 98004
Lexington, KY 40503
Dr. Nicholls performs more knee replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #36 of 146 ranked knee surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Nicholls
Practice. Dr. Mathew Nicholls is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bellevue, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 53 knee replacements and 21 hip replacements, 74 procedures in all. That is #36 in Washington for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 51 procedures a year to 74, up 45%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 53 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Bellevue has 9 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 | 18 | 33 |
| 2014 | 16 | 37 |
| 2015 | 0 | 37 |
| 2016 | 0 | 51 |
| 2017 | 11 | 20 |
| 2018 | 17 | 24 |
| 2019 | 20 | 45 |
| 2020 | 19 | 29 |
| 2021 | 20 | 38 |
| 2022 | 38 | 52 |
| 2023 | 31 | 58 |
| 2024 | 21 | 53 |
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. Nicholls Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nicholls's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 45% from 51 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.
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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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.
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. Nicholls
How does Dr. Nicholls's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Nicholls has performed 74 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Washington average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nicholls ranks #60 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nicholls perform?
Dr. Nicholls's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (53 cases) and hip replacement (21 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Nicholls in Bellevue?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Bellevue 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 Washington surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nicholls 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. Nicholls'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. Nicholls's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Nicholls's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 51 procedures in 2013 to 74 in the most recent data, a 45% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 90 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Nicholls perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nicholls's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (53 cases), hip replacement (21 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nicholls affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nicholls is affiliated with Virginia Mason Medical Center.
How does Dr. Nicholls compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bellevue?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Bellevue, Dr. Nicholls ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Bellevue has 181 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nicholls practices?
Virginia Mason Medical Center (5 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 Bellevue, Washington
Dr. Nicholls's 74 Medicare procedures are below the Bellevue average of 87. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bellevue.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Boone | 181 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonah Hulst | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Bruckner | 83 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Trevor Scott | 62 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gregory Komenda | 34 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Thomas Chi | 19 | 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.