Dr. Francesca Marina Swartz, DO

Add to Favorites

Physicians & Surgeons, Physical Therapists, Physicians & Surgeons, Dermatology

Be the first to review!

Add Hours

ACCEPTING
NEW PATIENTS

Amenities:

Wheelchair accessible

(203) 863-2003Call Visit WebsiteVisit Website Map & DirectionsDirections31 River RdCos Cob, CT 06807 Write a ReviewWrite Review

Accepted Insurance

Aetna
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
Cigna
Florida Blue - Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Florida
Humana Health

View All Insurance

Specialties

Primary: Orthopedic Surgeon

Sub-Specialty: General

More Info

Extra Phones: Fax: (203) 863-2025
AKA: Swartz Francesca M DO
Other Link: http://www.drmaureensteele.yourmd.com
Categories: Physicians & Surgeons, Physical Therapists, Physicians & Surgeons, Dermatology, Physicians & Surgeons, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Physicians & Surgeons, Hand Surgery, Physicians & Surgeons, Neurology, Physicians & Surgeons, Orthopedics, Physicians & Surgeons, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, Physicians & Surgeons, Pediatrics, Physicians & Surgeons, Podiatrists, Physicians & Surgeons, Radiology, Physicians & Surgeons, Rheumatology (Arthritis), Physicians & Surgeons, Sports Medicine, Physicians & Surgeons, Surgery-General, Physicians & Surgeons, Weight Loss Management, Sports Medicine & Injuries Treatment, Surgery Centers

Gallery

Be the first to add a photo!

Reviews

Hi there!
Be the first to review!

Click to Rate

Details

Phone: (203) 863-2003

Address: 31 River Rd, Cos Cob, CT 06807

Website: http://www.drmaureensteele.yourmd.com

People Also Viewed

View similar Physicians & Surgeons

Suggest an Edit

Dr. Francesca Marina Swartz, DO

General Practitioners

Osteoporosis
Arthritis
There are many different types of arthritis that can severely limit activities of daily living, but two of the most common include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and a decreased range of motion.
Plantar Fasciitis
Medical Weight Loss
Pediatric Care

Endoscopy
Springer recently published Arthroscopy and Endoscopy of the Shoulder online including two chapters by Kevin D. Plancher’s, MD, MPH, FAOA, FAOS and his colleagues at the Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles. The first chapter, Management of Anterior Shoulder Instability with Minimum Glenoid Bone Loss: Arthroscopic Bankart Repair with Modified Capsular Shift, discusses Arthroscopic Bankart repair as an accepted treatment option for patients presenting with anterior shoulder instability and minimal glenoid bone loss (<20%). Improvements in technology and surgeon experience have led to better patient outcomes and fewer complications compared to the open Bankart repair. The amount and location of bone loss associated with a Bankart lesion is a factor that must be considered in surgical decision-making when deciding between an open or arthroscopic Bankart repair, or an alternative procedure such as a Latarjet. This chapter will outline the indications and contraindications for arthroscopic Bankart repair in patients with anterior shoulder instability with minimal glenoid bone loss, as well as outline the modified arthroscopic Bankart technique used by the senior author.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Depending on your diagnosis, surgical intervention might be needed to relieve your pain. Our experienced orthopedic surgeons can treat a number of conditions, including bone tumors, sports related injuries that affect the bone and muscle, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis symptoms, osteoporosis, broken bones, shoulder injury, and joint pain. Common orthopedic surgeries include hip replacements, torn ACL treatment and surgery, knee replacements, rotator cuff treatment and surgeries, and procedures for the hand and wrist.

Endocrinologist

Diabetes Care

Ultrasound
MRI
The meniscus is another important structure in the knee that acts as a shock absorber between the femur and the tibia. This soft cushion of cartilage can be torn during exercise or can be a degenerative process over time. Symptoms of a meniscal tear are swelling, stiffness, clicking, or catching sensations. The meniscus is under the most pressure when you pivot or twist your knee while standing or performing a deep squat. Pain at the joint line and an MRI can best diagnose a meniscal tear. There are many shapes and sizes of tears however the meniscus has a poor blood supply and does not heal on its own, therefore arthroscopic surgery is recommended if rest and conservative treatment fails to reduce symptoms. If the tear increases over time, arthritis can occur. Meniscal degeneration and osteoarthritis are the most common arthritis pain in the elderly population. Knee braces, corticosteroid injections, or lubricating injections are good options for non-surgical treatment.
X-Rays
Computed Tomography
First, a CT scan, which is a type of special x-ray, of the patient’s knee is used to generate a 3-D virtual model of their specific anatomy. This model is loaded into the Stryker/Mako software and the surgeon uses it to personalize the surgical plan.

Orthopedics
I had a significant knee injury in Dec of 2018. Initially I went to a large orthopedic practice and felt like I was a “number”. They insisted I didn’t need surgery because of my age and because I was not a professional athlete. I had a very pensive ski season after the initial rehab. I went to see Dr Plancher in June of 2020. He recommended that I undergo knee reconstruction (ACL) surgery. I had the surgery in August 2020 and I was able to walk (carefully) with out pain in 2 days! Dr Plancher and his staff are so caring and professional. They take the extra time to explain all of the procedures, surgery, recovery, PT and answer any questions in extreme detail. They made me feel like I was was a very important athlete even though I’m just a mom that enjoys skiing. Thank you Plancher Orthopedics for getting me back to skiing in the moguls and trees!
Arthroscopy
Dr. Plancher joined in on the fun at Arthroscopy Association of North America 2023 Annual Meeting. While at AANA23, he presented “Unicomparmental Knee Arthroplasty: My Journey and Results to Avoid Failure”.
Ankle Surgery
At Plancher Orthopaedics, our orthopedic surgeon and highly-trained staff are devoted to the care and treatment of the musculoskeletal system for adults and children. This includes the bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, as well as conservative and surgical treatment of arthritis, torn meniscus, and more. Our goal is to provide patients with state-of-the-art comprehensive care in arthroscopic shoulder, knee, elbow, hip, wrist, hand, and ankle surgery; PCL ligament reconstruction, torn ACL treatment, sports injury care and medicine, joint, hip and knee replacement, rotator cuff treatment, minimally invasive and fracture care, including all aspects of complex orthopaedic trauma surgery. We also treat all types of hand and microvascular ailments ranging from cosmetic to congenital and reconstructive.
Bunion Surgery
Joint Replacement
Nearly 700,000 people ages 45 and up undergo knee replacement surgery each year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. These surgeries are primarily used to treat those whose knee joints have degenerated due to osteoarthritis, the surgery – whether a partial or total joint replacement – can be done in two ways: conventionally, which relies on the surgeon’s visual assessment of the knee and direct manipulation; or robotically, which uses CT imaging and a robotic arm to assist the surgeon with precise measurements.
Arthritis Surgery
Losing the use of a joint, such as a knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, or hand, can seriously affect a person’s lifestyle. When this happens, surgery to replace or stabilize the joint may be suggested. With arthritis surgery, we can repair or replace the affected joint(s) to help relieve pain. There are several different types of surgeries you could have depending on where your arthritis is and how much pain you are experiencing. Some types of surgery options for arthritis treatment include arthroscopy and partial or total joint replacement. Arthroscopic surgery is an option that allows us to remove damaged cartilage or bone fragments from inside which can help prevent the need for total joint replacement. There are new techniques that can also replace cartilage.
Hand Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Our group of fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedists are specialists and draw upon their training at world-renowned medical centers. Moreover, we offer on-site certified occupational hand therapy, registered physical therapists, and certified athletic trainers, all eager to design individual rehabilitative treatment regimes to optimize functional return and Get You Back in the Game. Whether your injury requires light physical therapy treatment, or a full orthopedic surgery procedure, our professional doctors will make sure you are completely evaluated in order to get you back and feeling your best. Our patients travel from the Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport, CT areas, as well as both the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, NY regions.
Bunions
Neurosurgery
Robotic Surgery
With offices in both Connecticut and New York, we take pride in serving patients throughout the Greenwich, New Canaan, and Westport, CT areas, as well as Upper East Side and Upper West Side, NY. To learn more about our robotic surgery techniques or to schedule an initial appointment, we welcome you to contact one of our offices today!
Arthroscopy
Plancher KD, Petterson SC. Editorial Commentary: Is This the Beginning of the End for Hospital-Based Outpatient Surgery Centers? The Wake-Up Call. Arthroscopy. 2019 Sep;35(9):2551-2552. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2019.06.009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31500740/
Hip Replacement
Knee Replacement
During knee replacement surgery – meant to improve motion, flexibility and comfort levels of those with severe knee osteoarthritis – damaged bone and cartilage are “resurfaced” with metal and plastic parts. But in partial, or “unicompartmental” knee replacement, only a portion of the knee is resurfaced. Because this is done through a smaller incision and doesn’t disturb the knee’s healthy tissues, patients typically spend less time recuperating and get back to regular life even sooner, Dr. Plancher explains.
Knee Arthroscopy
Plancher KD, Chan JJ, Bishai SK, Silane M, Ibrahim TF, Petterson SC. DVT and Pulmonary Embolism Following Knee Arthroscopy: The Role of Genetic Predisposition and Autoimmune Antibodies: A Report of 3 Cases. JBJS Case Connect. 2020 Apr-Jun;10(2):e0514. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.19.00514. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32649112/

Ulcer
An ulcer. The only significant risks are associated with the steroid injection, and these are small. Click
Lesions
Plancher KD, Faber KJ. Arthroscopic repair of radial-sided triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 1999 Mar;3(1):44-51. doi: 10.1097/00130911-199903000-00007. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16609455/

Physical Therapists

Sports Medicine
The Plancher Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Program is offering 2 ACGME Sports Medicine Fellowships for the 2023-2024 Fellowship Year in SF Match https://sfmatch.org/
Physical Therapy
The most common shoulder injury is impingement of the 4 rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis). Impingement injuries target adults and elderly people. It can occur with either a single trauma or with repetitive overhead motions. Impingement involves the rotator cuff muscles, specifically the supraspinatus getting pinched in the space between the humerus and the acromion. Physical therapy to strengthen these rotator cuff muscles and the muscles that stabilize the scapula (or shoulder blade in the back) can help reduce symptoms. If they persist, repair of the rotator cuff muscles provides relief in tears that are small or moderate size. Early detection of these shoulder injuries is important because if a tear is massive or is retracted too far from its attachment point, it becomes more difficult to fix.
Frozen Shoulder
Some other common injuries that occur in the shoulder include biceps tendonitis and frozen shoulder. Biceps tendonitis is an inflammation in the front of the shoulder where the biceps tendon attaches. A frozen shoulder can be a complication after a fracture or surgery when the shoulder is immobilized for a long period of time. Frozen shoulder is a formation of scar tissue within the shoulder, which decreases the movement allowed. Individuals with diabetes are also more susceptible to frozen shoulders. Common treatments for both biceps tendonitis and frozen shoulder include physical therapy or injections, and in severe cases, these shoulder injuries may require surgical intervention. We can help you restore your shoulder function in Greenwich, CT; New Canaan, CT; Westport, CT; Upper East Side, NY; Upper West Side, NY; and beyond.
Tennis Elbow
Dr. Plancher is a leading orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine expert with extensive knowledge in knee, shoulder, elbow, and hand injuries. Dr. Plancher is 1 of only 36 Orthopaedic Surgeons who hold American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons certification in both Surgery of the Hand and Orthopaedic 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 paticular interest in adolescent sports injuries and injury prevention for young female athletes.
Shoulder Pain
Ankle Sprain
Ankle sprains occur in several forms: the high ankle sprain, the lateral ankle sprain, the medial ankle
Neck Pain

Ankle Sprain
The foot and ankle are also vulnerable to acute injuries and trauma because of the limited range of motion available to these joints. Ankle sprains are the most common sports injury. They are more likely to occur during jumping sports such as volleyball and basketball however everyone is at risk for an ankle injury. Because our feet affect the entire kinetic chain and can lead to injuries in the knees, hips and back, it is imperative that these injuries are completely healed before we start putting stresses on them again. Consult one of our trained medical professionals for an appointment if you or someone you know are experiencing foot or ankle pain. We provide our services to the Upper East & West Side, NY, and Westport, CT areas and beyond.
Bunions Problems
Connects to the foot. Half of those who have the problem will have bunions on both feet. Click here for
Hammertoes
Foot Pain
Foot Injuries
Plantar Fasciitis
Most ankle and foot pain is caused by overuse or microtraumas overtime. When diagnosing foot pain, it is very important to evaluate walking and running patterns, shoe wear, arch type, and the surfaces we walk on. Most chronic foot pain can be prevented with early diagnosis, proper shoe wear, and intervention through strengthening exercises. Common chronic foot and ankle injuries are metatarsal, tarsal, or tibial stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and tendonitis of the Achilles and other tendons. With early detection, activity modification and rest stress fractures have good healing prognosis. Plantar Fasciitis is pain in the arch and sole of the foot during the morning can be treated with aggressive stretching and massage. Tendonitis is an inflammatory process of the tendon also treated with stretching, and eccentric strengthening exercises.

View All Services

Provided by