Dr. Edward Nelsen-Freund, MD
Contact & Location
208-457-4211
Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
Hayden, ID 83835
Dr. Nelsen-Freund performs more knee replacement procedures than 57% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #65 of 152 ranked knee surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Nelsen-Freund
Dr. Edward Nelsen-Freund is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Nelsen-Freund performed 33 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#65 in Wisconsin) and 17 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 50 procedures.
In Wisconsin, Dr. Nelsen-Freund performs near the state average in knee (33 vs 36), below the state average in hip (17 vs 29).
Dr. Nelsen-Freund's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (33 cases) and hip replacements (17 cases).
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Nelsen-Freund holds additional credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Milwaukee is home to 16 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Milwaukee area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Nelsen-Freund's Medicare record spans 12 years from 2013 through 2024. Procedure volume has remained consistent during that period, ranging from 41 to 68 procedures per year, reflecting a steady joint replacement practice.
Dr. Nelsen-Freund's 33 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 37 |
| 2014 | 28 | 23 |
| 2015 | 23 | 35 |
| 2016 | 15 | 26 |
| 2017 | 18 | 50 |
| 2018 | 20 | 41 |
| 2019 | 14 | 52 |
| 2020 | 19 | 33 |
| 2021 | 15 | 38 |
| 2022 | 13 | 31 |
| 2023 | 20 | 35 |
| 2024 | 17 | 33 |
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. Nelsen-Freund Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Nelsen-Freund's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 41 to 68 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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.
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.
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. Nelsen-Freund
How does Dr. Nelsen-Freund's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Nelsen-Freund has performed 50 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Wisconsin average of 51 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Nelsen-Freund ranks #79 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Nelsen-Freund perform?
Dr. Nelsen-Freund's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (33 cases) and hip replacement (17 cases).
Where is Dr. Nelsen-Freund's practice located?
Dr. Nelsen-Freund's current practice address is in Coeur D Alene, ID. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Nelsen-Freund's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Nelsen-Freund 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. Nelsen-Freund's total volume across all insurers at roughly 170 to 210 procedures against the 50 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. Nelsen-Freund's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Nelsen-Freund's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 41 to 68 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Nelsen-Freund perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Nelsen-Freund's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (33 cases), hip replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Nelsen-Freund affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Nelsen-Freund is affiliated with Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital.
How does Dr. Nelsen-Freund compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Milwaukee?
Among the 16 orthopedic surgeons in Milwaukee, Dr. Nelsen-Freund ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Milwaukee has 181 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Nelsen-Freund practices?
Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital (1 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dr. Nelsen-Freund's 50 Medicare procedures are below the Milwaukee average of 82. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Milwaukee.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Evanich | 181 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Webber | 132 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Jost | 65 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Navjot Kohli | 53 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Benjamin Knight | 49 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Neilson | 41 | 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.