Dr. Douglas Plagens, M.D.
Contact & Location
313-730-0500
Dearborn, MI 48124
Dr. Plagens performs more knee replacement procedures than 46% of orthopedic surgeons in Michigan, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #109 of 202 ranked knee surgeons in Michigan.
About Dr. Plagens
Practice. Dr. Douglas Plagens is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Dearborn, Michigan. The latest annual CMS data records 26 knee replacements. That is #109 in Michigan for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 22 procedures a year to 26, up 18%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 26 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Dearborn has 8 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 | 0 | 22 |
| 2014 | 0 | 29 |
| 2015 | 0 | 24 |
| 2016 | 0 | 32 |
| 2017 | 0 | 34 |
| 2018 | 13 | 23 |
| 2019 | 0 | 23 |
| 2020 | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 | 0 | 24 |
| 2022 | 0 | 30 |
| 2023 | 0 | 25 |
| 2024 | 0 | 26 |
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. 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. Plagens Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Michigan state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Plagens's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 18% from 22 procedures in 2013 to 26 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.
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.
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. Plagens
How does Dr. Plagens's procedure volume compare to other Michigan surgeons?
Dr. Plagens has performed 26 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Michigan average is 49 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Plagens ranks #174 out of 256 orthopedic surgeons in Michigan.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Plagens perform?
Dr. Plagens's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 26 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Plagens in Dearborn?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Dearborn 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 Michigan surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Plagens 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, which puts Dr. Plagens's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 procedures against the 26 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. Plagens's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Plagens's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 22 procedures in 2013 to 26 in the most recent data, a 18% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 36 procedures in 2018.
Which hospitals is Dr. Plagens affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Plagens is affiliated with Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital, Trinity Health Livonia Hospital, Corewell Health Taylor Hospital, Corewell Health Wayne Hospital, Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital.
How does Dr. Plagens compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Dearborn?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Dearborn, Dr. Plagens ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Dearborn has 128 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Plagens practices?
Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Trinity Health Livonia Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Corewell Health Taylor 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 Dearborn, Michigan
Dr. Plagens's 26 Medicare procedures are below the Dearborn average of 56. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Dearborn.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Eric Silberg | 128 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Finch | 74 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sean Bak | 58 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Gregory Housner | 56 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Marc Milia | 37 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Jeffrey Waldrop | 15 | 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.