Dr. Nickel is a fellowship-trained, board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee surgery. His expertise includes hip and knee reconstruction and replacement with emphasis on minimally invasive techniques and rapid recovery. Well versed in modern, state of the art techniques and technology, his treatment philosophy emphasizes a patient centered and specific practice that utilizes the best procedure, implant, approach and navigation for each individual. He has particular interest in returning all patients to their highest possible function using tailored treatment options; particularly in young, active patients with hip and knee pathology.
Dr. Nickel graduated with honors from Johns Hopkins University for his undergraduate education where he was a member of the football team and received a long line of accolades including a NCAA postgraduate scholarship and student athlete of the year honors. He returned to Wisconsin to graduate from the Medical College of Wisconsin with distinction in research. Dr. Nickel completed his residency at Duke University and his fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery, the #1 orthopedic hospital in the country. A prolific surgeon, educator, and researcher, Dr. Nickel has been recognized with numerous clinical and research awards at national and international meetings.
A Waupun native, Brian and his wife, Tiffany, reside in Madison and are passionate Packer, Badger, and Brewer fans who enjoy golf, travel, and live music.
- Minimally Invasive Joint Replacement
- Rapid Recovery After Joint Replacement
- Same Day Discharge Hip and Knee replacement
- Outpatient Joint Replacement
- Partial Knee Replacement
- Mini Posterior and Anterior Hip Replacement
- Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement
- Knee Pain
- Hip Pain
- Return to Sport After Joint Replacement
Dr. Nickel's research interests focus on hip and knee reconstruction and replacement- particularly indications, decreasing complications, and rapid recovery programs.
- Adult Reconstructive and Joint Replacement Fellowship
Hospital for Special Surgery and Weill Cornell Medical College - New York City, NY, 2017-2018 - Residency
Duke University Medical Center - Durham, NC, 2012-2017 - Medical Doctorate with Research Distinction
Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI, 2008-2012 - Bachelor of Arts: Honors in Natural Sciences
Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD, 2003-2007
- Clinical Excellence Award – Hospital for Special Surgery Adult Reconstruction & Joint Replacement, 2018
- Richard S. Laskin Research Award – 29th Annual HSS Holiday Hip & Knee Course, 2017
- James A. Rand Young Investigator Award – American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons, 2017
- William T. Hardaker, Jr Resident Fellow – Duke Orthopaedic Department, 2017
- Annual Award for Excellence in Orthopaedic Research – Duke Orthopaedic Department, 2017
- 1st Place Poster – Southern Orthopaedic Association 33rd Annual Meeting, 2016
- Chief Resident – Duke University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2016
- Best Primary Knee Poster – American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons 25th Annual Meeting, 2015
- Resident Award – North Carolina Society for Surgery of the Hand Annual Meeting, 2015
- Third Place – ORS/OREF Resident Research Symposium; Southeast Regional, 2014
- Ben and Ella Wagner Memorial Award in Anatomy – Medical College of Wisconsin, 2012
- T. Bolger Standing Ovation Community Service Award – Student Assembly of MCW, 2010
- Johns Hopkins Class of 2007 Most Outstanding Scholar Athlete (Shriver-Howard Award)
- NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship – National Collegiate Athletic Association, 2007
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellow, 2006
- Research and Innovation Committee Hospital for Special Surgery $10,000 – Retrieval analysis of compression molded polyetheyle tibial inserts for TKA. Study Active
- Piedmont Orthopedic Society Grant $4,500 – “Prospective Preoperative pain threshold and opioid prescription in total joint arthroplasty.” – 2016. Study active
- Susan comes full-circle for her knee replacement at UW Health
- Andy North is hitting the links of life after hip replacement
- Partial knee replacement gets Dave up and running again
- Knee replacement surgery helped Lisa get back to being active
- Sidelined from the Sideline: Jay Wilson’s Total Hip Replacement
- Jay Wilson’s return to the news desk after Total Hip Replacement Surgery
- Two new hips = one happy man
1 S. Park St. Medical Center
Phone: (608) 287-2000
East Madison Hospital
Phone: (608) 263-7540
Science Dr Medical Center
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University Hospital
Phone: (608) 263-6400