Biography
F. Thomas D. Kaplan, M.D., joined the practice in 2003 and currently serves at the Managing Partner. He treats all conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder, and has special interest in shoulder arthroscopy and reconstruction, fracture care, and Dupuytren disease. His practice philosophy is to provide both time-tested and state-of-the-art care in a way that emphasizes the patient’s goals while taking time to understand the impact of the problem to the patient, and make sure the patient understands their condition and options. “My goal is to listen to, and hear, what patients are telling me, clarify the options available, and then tailor treatment to their individual needs.”
Dr. Kaplan comes from Baltimore, MD, where he graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian of his medical school class. He trained in orthopaedics at NYU / Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City, then pursued sub-specialty training in hand, microvascular, and upper extremity surgery at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in 2001. Dr. Kaplan is very involved in the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and was selected as a Young Leader by the Society in 2007. He has subsequently served on and chaired multiple committees, serves as the ASSH Alternate Advisor to the AMA CPT Panel, and is a reviewer for the Journal of Hand Surgery.
Dr. Kaplan has a strong commitment to research and education. He has been integrally involved as a lead investigator in multiple studies on collagenase injection for Dupuytren contracture, culminating in FDA approval and publication in the New England Journal of Medicine. He has given numerous national and international lectures, and has been published in multiple journals. Dr. Kaplan is also actively involved in our fellowship program, a cornerstone to the mission of the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. Dr. Kaplan presently serves as the Fellowship Director for the Hand Fellowship Program at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, one of the largest training programs in the US for specialization in the hand, upper extremity and microvascular surgery.
www.linkedin.com/in/f-thomas-d-kaplan-816b45
Twitter : @IndyHandDoc
Patient Stories
More About Dr. Kaplan
How would you describe IHTSC to patients? Why should they know?
The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center is like a vein of gold running across Indiana. We are fortunate to have some of the best-trained hand surgeons in the country, all not only committed to providing the best care possible to patients but also actively involved in education and research. I think it is important for patients to understand what that means. We are one of the largest, and most sought-after, fellowship programs for Hand Surgery in the country. In order to teach, one must remain up-to-date, and able to explain the how’s and whys of our treatment decisions. Learners challenge their teachers, and teachers need to continually learn as well. Many of our physicians are also engaged in research, seeking out better solutions to the problems our patients face. So not only are our physicians keeping up with the latest in Hand Surgery, they are also the ones innovating, publishing, and disseminating new knowledge.
What aspect of your work are you the most passionate about?
The best part of being a hand surgeon is the ability to take care of pretty much anything that is wrong with the arm. Whether it is an arthritic joint, a compound fracture-dislocation of the elbow, a clotted artery in the hand, severed nerve, or a torn labrum, it is all within the wheelhouse of a hand surgeon. I love being able to decompress a pinched nerve, remove a tumor, arthroscopically repair a torn rotator cuff, and replant a severed thumb, all in a day's work. I’m passionate about patient care and nothing is better than helping a patient overcome a potentially life-changing injury or problem.
When did you know you were going to be a healthcare provider? (or why did you select a career in healthcare?)
My initial interest was to become a veterinarian but pivoted to medicine when I realized there are fewer constraints on our ability to do whatever was necessary to help a person overcome illness or injury. Orthopaedic Hand Surgery was a perfect fit for me. I loved the challenge of fixing difficult problems, and the ability to reattach amputated thumbs (one of the main parts that define us as a human) is the ultimate combination of something that requires a high level of technical expertise and provides significant benefit to the injured person.
For Fun
Hometown
Baltimore, Maryland, Go Ravens!
3 words to describe yourself
Dedicated, loyal, a doer
Favorite place in the world
Outside. Ideally visiting mountaintops, canyons, and reefs
What are you currently watching on Netflix?
Rather be running!
Something interesting/unique about you
Enjoy taking risks (skydiving, running with the bulls, having four children..)
What are your hobbies?
Running, hiking, summiting mountains
I have seen Dr. Kaplan for years now and have always had a great visit with him. He is an excellent hand surgeon. He is compassionate and he listens to his patients. Your hands are in good hands with Dr. Kaplan.
Education
Undergrad
University of Maryland College Park
Medical school
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Ortho Residency
Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYC
Hand Fellowship
Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center
Awards
- Resident Teacher of the Year
- Administrative Chief Resident
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Alpha Omega Alpha
- Clinical Pearl Award - American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Indianapolis Monthly Top Doctor Award – Hand Surgery 2012-2024
- Jacques Duparc Award
- European Federation of National Associations of Orthopedics and Traumatology
Publications
- Kaplan FTD, Kleinman WB: Clinical Examination of the Distal End of the Ulna: Illumination of the Black Box. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Kaplan FTD, Raskin KB: Indications and surgical techniques for digit replantation. Bull Hosp Jt Dis 60(3&4):179-188, 2001-2002.
- Hurst LC, Badalamente MA, Hentz VR, Hotchkiss RN, Kaplan FTD, Meals RA, Smith TM, Rodzilla J: Injectable Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for Dupuytren’s Contracture. New England Journal of Medicine 361(10): 968-979, 2009
- Kaplan FTD, Crosby NE: Treatment of Recurrent Dupuytren Disease. Hand Clinics 34(3) 403-415, 2018.
- Bowers NL, Merrell GA, Foster T, Kaplan FTD: Does Use of a Night Extension Orthosis Improve Outcomes in Patients with Dupuytren Contracture Treated with Injectable Collagenase? J Hand Surg Global Online. 3(5):272-277, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsg.2021.05.001
- McMurtry J, Kaplan FTD: Optimal Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair Site After Placement of the Internal Joint Stabilizer. Bull Hosp Joint Diseases 80(2): 175-179, 2022. PMID: 35643480
- Multicenter randomized trial of carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance versus mini-open technique. Eberlin, KR, Amis BP, Berkbigler TP, Dy CJ, Fischer MD, Gluck JL, Kaplan FTD, et al.: Multicenter randomized trial of carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance versus mini-open technique. Expert Review of Medical Devices. 2023 https://doi.org/10.1080/17434440.2023.2218548