Brian Nickel's Online Review Report Card

I am a 63 yr-old who had a complete hip replacement 5 months ago and my pain and immobility remain much worse than they ever were before surgery. Although I go to PT 1-2 times/week and faithfully do all exercises, I don't come close to having my old life back. I am still unable to drive, go to work at my office (I have to work 100% remotely) or participate in daily exercise classes, attend sporting events, bike, clean, garden, travel, etc. I want my life back, and Dr. Nickel's only response: "some people just take longer to heal". This is vastly different that the 4 weeks he said it would take to be back to "better than before". I have no pre-existing conditions, am very fit, and qualified for same-day out-patient surgery. At an 8 week followup appt he pulled up the Xray from the day of the surgery and declared--"everything looks perfect". I have been told by other medical professionals that nerve compression, muscle tears or issues with the implant, are possible causes of my problems. Nickel has ordered no tests to try to help determine what the issue is or more importantly has made made no suggestions of what I can do to get my life back--(accept go to PT). The hospital care, and those who took care of me the 8 hours I was there, was excellent. My PT professionals are also excellent -- they have worked diligently with me via trial-and-error for 5 months trying to help. I erroneously expected the surgeon to follow through with me to be sure the end result was what he and I both expected. He hasn't offered me any assistance or advice and he refused to refer me to someone who could possibly help. I'm in limbo with a doctor who works at a large, nationally recognized university hospital that does amazing things. No one intends to harm a patient, but things happen, and there should be a clear path for help or access to medical professionals who can help patients get their lives back. Those of us in the bottom 5% of results expect and deserve help.

First/only appointment before surgery: Resident did the exam and majority of visit. Dr. Nickel spoke highly of his own experience, rattled off unlikely complications and told me to schedule surgery, it was my only option. Day of surgery, I saw him for a minute before and about 2 minutes after the procedure. He did not participate in any post-surgery care, including pain/mobility. One followup appt after 8 weeks, where he said 'give it time'. The 4-6 week recovery is more advertising than reality--which became more clear after surgery. My pain and mobility remain worse than before the surgery, 4 months and counting. I'm a healthy, active women (no pre-existing conditions) who attended fitness classes 5 days/week up until surgery. Working professional who is still unable to drive or work at the office. Quality of life unacceptable.

My mother was able to walk but had discomfort and needed hip replacement surgery. She got it done Feb 2021 by Dr. Nickel and has had more pain than she ever had before surgery ever since. 7 months out it’s getting worse. She is 65 years old and missing out on life. She doesn’t visit us anymore because she can’t walk. She has tried to consult with Dr. Nickel and he tells her she’s fine. She feels like he’s not listening. She’s only getting worse and he tells her to just keep using a walker. After an MRI ordered by her primary, an on-call orthopedic surgeon saw fluid and debris and said the “hip isn’t taking” the way it should. Dr. Nickel again brushed this off and is now blaming it on my mother’s falls. The falls she’s had from the pain she’s in. The inability to put weight on her leg. He may be a good surgeon, but errors can happen. He refuses to investigate. He has a complete lack of concern or sense of responsibility. For the record, he did my dad’s knees and he did well.

My mother had hip pain and needed a replacement. Dr. Nickel did the surgery in Feb 2021 and she’s had nothing but problems in the last 7 months since. Dr. Nickel has refused to investigate and brushed off her concerns. She’s 65 years old and missing out on life. She falls because she can’t put weight on her leg. She cant visit us because she can’t walk and it’s only getting worse. He says to just continue using a walker. She had an MRI ordered by her primary and the on-call ortho surgeon saw “debris and fluid” and the hip “isn’t taking” properly. Dr. Nickel says it’s fine without any type of examination. She went to see him in person and he blamed her pain on her falls. She’s falling Because of the inability to put weight on the leg due to the intense pain she’s experiencing. She feels unheard and is losing hope. I don’t feel he’s provided good care for follow up. Even her physical therapist isn’t comfortable doing therapy for the amount of pain she’s in. He may be a good surgeon but mistakes happen and they need to be looked into. Something isn’t right. Please help my mom, Dr. Nickel. (For the record, he did my dad’s knees without incident.)

I was in the room for 25 minutes before Dr. Nickel even saw me for my knee. He had a medical student examine my knee before he came in the room. When he came in he didn't ever examine my knee. He was rushed and didn't seem to like my questions about how surgery was done or how recovery would be. He just gave me a folder and told me to call him when I wanted to schedule knee replacement. After this experience I will definitely be looking for another surgeon.

After a bad experience with another surgeon, we were lucky to have Dr Nickel for hip replacement surgery. He’s one of the very best !!