Dr. Plancher is a leading orthopedic surgeon expert with extensive knowledge in knee, shoulder, elbow, and hand injuries. Dr. Plancher is 1 of only 36 Orthopedic Surgeons who hold American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons certification in both Surgery of the Hand and Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He specializes in treating anterior cruciate ligament tears and shoulder injuries, which he sees frequently as a physician for the U.S. Ski Team and as a League Physician for Major League Lacrosse. He specializes in minimally invasive procedures including: partial knee replacements, arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, arthroscopic Bankart repairs, and endoscopic elbow release for severe tennis elbow. He is also an expert in total and reverse shoulder, and knee replacements procedures. Dr. Plancher developed the arthroscopic technique for releasing a nerve for posterior shoulder pain. He has a particular interest in adolescent sports injuries and injury prevention for young female athletes.
Dr. Plancher lectures globally on issues related to orthopedic procedures and sports injury management. He is the founder of the “Orthopedic Summit: Evolving Techniques”, (OSET) a national conference.
Dr. Plancher is a Clinical Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine and an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, at the Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University in New York. He is a member of many prestigious national and international societies and associations, and is a founding member for the Educational Enhancement Fund of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Dr. Plancher earned his Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biochemistry from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. He then went on to earn his Master’s in Science in Physiology and Doctorate in Medicine from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Dr. Plancher completed his residency at Harvard University’s Combined Orthopedic program. He then went on to complete two post-graduate fellowships, the first at The Indiana Hand Center focusing on hand and microvascular surgery. The second was at the world-renowned Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, focusing on sports medicine and reconstruction of the shoulder and knee. In 2017 Dr. Plancher completed his MPH at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. He is honored to also serve on the AAOS Board of Directors as BOS Chair.
In addition, Dr. Plancher is the Fellowship Director of an ACGME accredited sports medicine program in NYC and CT. In 2001, he founded “The Orthopedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles (OFALS),” a non-profit 501 (c) (3) foundation focused on maintaining and enhancing the physical well-being of active individuals through the development and promotion of research and supporting technologies.
