Dr. Michael Vanwagner, DO

Dr. VanWagner‘s office is absolutely the best! A positive experience everywhere from preop to postop with both Dr. VanWagner and all of his staff. No details left undone and the pre-op preparation to avoid complications was very impressive. Five weeks later, I’m pain-free, walking without any assistive device, incision all healed and very, very happy!I never had to wait long for my appointments. In and out at my appointment time including x-rays every time was amazing compared to previous experiences of waiting for a long time to see the doctor.As a nurse, I always want to find out who the nurses would go to if they needed surgery. I did my research and Dr VanWagner came out on top. Also, the day I went into surgery, the nurse in preop said to me “you have a great doctor, if I was getting my knee done, I definitely would have Dr. VanWagner do it. That’s when I knew for sure I had the right doctor!

So. My little secret....I chose Dr. VanWagner because one of the orthopedic surgeons at the hospital I work at had Dr. VanWagner do his wife's knee replacement and his own! So, I figured if that's who they chose, he must be good. I was right! Had my knee replaced and it went wonderfully. I could not be happier. I'll be signing up for my next one soon. His entire staff were so wonderful and treated me like a priority. I could just tell Dr. VanWagner cares about his patients. He listens, takes his time, and makes you feel comforted. I highly recommend him for total knee replacement surgery - the best around!

Dr. VanWagner did my Total Hip Replacement surgery. Let me tell you, he spent so much time educating me about my arthritis, and the surgery. He made me feel so comfortable from the very first time we met about everything. I knew I needed my hip replaced for a long time. I was going to have it done out west. I research my doctors and ask around. Im telling you he is the best in our area hands down. He's humble, kind, well spoken and a no nonsense kind of doctor. I NEVER felt like he was pressuring me to have surgery. I was always MY decision. Since surgery I have been back out to Aspen twice skiing! I have been cross country skiing with what little snow we have! I feel like I have my life back. Thank you Dr. VanWagner for your care and expertise. You and your staff at the Munson Orthopedic Institute have quite the recipe for excellent patient care!

Extremely happy and impressed with how my surgery went! I had my hip replaced and was up and walking same day! Dr. Vanwagner and his staff were very nice and personable and I am having my other hip done soon. I highly recommend him.

Every move I made was enveloped in pain. I had tears of joy in recovery room! My pain was GONE! Surgery was mid-May, didn’t need prescribed pain meds, I have since returned to biking, swimming and my walks SO VERY BLESSED to have such a skilled surgeon! My chiropractor was amazed at the precise alignment this surgery helped create, really and TRUELY the BEST!

In Aug of 22 I had a total hip replacement at Munson in Traverse City. After years of severe pain, and loss of range of motion I decided to just do it and so glad that I did! The procedure left a small incision about the length of a hot dog bun, I went home the same day (surgery was 7:30 am and I was on the road by 1:30). Honestly the day after I felt like I was hit by a truck, but after that it was constant improvement! While this is not typical, I was done with the walker in 4 days and done with the cane after a week. I did PT for a month and followed through with everything I was supposed to do. Dr. Van Wagoner is a kind, energetic, professional and has a real can do attitude. The staff at his old office, the hospital, and his new office were all amazing as well. They worked to make sure my insurance was accepted (Medicaid) and treated me with respect, compassion and encouragement. I highly recommend not only the surgery as it has changed my life but the surgeon. Thank you!!

He redid my old knee replacement that was over 20 years old. Everything with my surgery went better than I thought it would and my knee feels better than it has in many years. A few weeks later I became ill and was hospitalized for reasons that were not related to my knee. Dr. called my husband and me regularly to check on me. He has a way of making everything feel ok. He cares about his patients and I appreciated that when I was sick.

I had a wonderful experience with Dr. VanWagner! I love my new hip and could not be happier with my quick recovery.

Dr. VanWagner replaced my hip. I had such a good experience with him and his staff. I felt like they truly cared about me and supported me during the whole process. I drove hours to see him and am glad I did. I highly recommend him.

Dr. VanWagner replaced my knee. It has been such a wonderful experience beginning to end. His nursing staff Susan and Christy were helpful and informative through the whole process. They were all so professional. I have not had that kind of care from any other doctor or their team. Thank you!

I was referred to Dr. VanWagner from another orthopedic surgeon to address my hip. I had such a bad problem that my leg was much shorter than my other side and I could hardly walk. I knew the first time I met Dr. VanWagner that he was my surgeon. His whole demeanor was very calming, and he took his time to explain everything to me. Most importantly he was honest! My legs are the same length now and I feel great for the first time in years!

I had a total knee done 2 years ago by another surgeon and it was fine, but then Dr. VanWagner did my other knee with the robot. The recovery and experience were MUCH better this time around! Thanks dr. vw, my husband is next!

My story: I saw 3 doctors before finally seeing an orthopedic surgeon, then I saw 2 other orthopedic surgeons before I saw Dr. VanWagner. My hip had bothered me to where I could not walk or sit. Everybody said there was nothing wrong with my hip. Try therapy they said! Try pills they said! You're too young for hip pain they said! When I saw Dr. VanWagner he was actually an honest doctor who sat down next to me and talked to me like a human being. "Let's figure this out together" he said! What a breath of fresh air. He drew pictures, showed me models, taught me and never made me feel stupid. Had such a relaxed and in control vibe to him. We figured it out alright and eventually underwent surgery, the ball of my hip was dying I had avascular necrosis and Dr. VanWagner fixed me and I am so grateful I found him and that he actually cared enough to not write me off. Thanks doc.

Just, wow! This is how doctors should be. He actually spent time talking to me, my husband and children. He explained my condition in a way I could actually understand, and was honest about what I could expect from my surgery. Then there's the surgery! I had very little to almost no pain after surgery and was up walking the same day! An overall great experience.

Thank you for taking care of my mother Dr. VanWagner!

fixed my knee, thanks doc!

Wonderful and kind doctor.

Dr. VanWagner replaced my hip from the anterior approach after I had a clumsy fall! I was walking without any cane in a couple of weeks! My whole experience was wonderful!

excellent care. very satisfied with Dr. VanWagner.

broke the ball of my hip hanging Christmas lights. Lucky for me Dr. VanWagner was on call. He did surgery the next day and I am feeling great! A+ doc!