Dr. Frank Plate, M.D., PH. D.
Contact & Location
412-802-4100
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Monroeville, PA 15146
Dr. Plate performs more knee replacement procedures than 56% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #135 of 308 ranked knee surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Plate
Dr. Frank Plate is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A Medicare provider since 2013, Dr. Plate performed 38 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#135 in Pennsylvania) and 19 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 57 procedures.
In Pennsylvania, Dr. Plate performs near the state average in knee (38 vs 47), below the state average in hip (19 vs 37).
Dr. Plate's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (38 cases) and hip replacements (19 cases).
Pittsburgh is home to 41 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Pittsburgh area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Plate extend back to 2019, covering 5 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 47 to 57 in the most recent data, a 21% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Plate's 38 verified procedures is near the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 15 | 32 |
| 2020 | 15 | 13 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 16 |
| 2023 | 17 | 26 |
| 2024 | 19 | 38 |
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. Plate Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Plate's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 21% from 47 procedures in 2019 to 57 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Plate
How does Dr. Plate's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Plate has performed 57 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Pennsylvania average of 66 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Plate ranks #151 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Plate perform?
Dr. Plate's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (38 cases) and hip replacement (19 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Plate in Pittsburgh?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh 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 Pennsylvania surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Plate 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. Plate's total volume across all insurers at roughly 190 to 240 procedures against the 57 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. Plate's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Plate's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 47 procedures in 2019 to 57 in the most recent data, a 21% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 57 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Plate perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Plate's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (38 cases), hip replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Plate affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Plate is affiliated with Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside, Upmc East, Upmc Passavant.
How does Dr. Plate compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, Dr. Plate ranks #18 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Pittsburgh has 203 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Plate practices?
Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Upmc East (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Upmc Passavant (4 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dr. Plate's 57 Medicare procedures are below the Pittsburgh average of 110. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Pittsburgh.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryce Braaksma | 203 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Omalley | 156 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Pagnotto | 124 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Julius Huebner | 77 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Yram Groff | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Yakish | 75 | 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.