WILLIAM P. COONEY III M.D.

After many years as an orthopedic surgeon and teacher, specializing in the hand, at the Mayo Clinic and elsewhere, it is very exciting for me and my family to take up private practice here in fabulous Florida.

This web site provides you with a brief overview of conditions, symptoms and treatment methods developed worldwide by many thousands of talented physicians. But, of course, it is no substitute for visit to your doctor. Everyone is different and conditions, such as arthritis and traumatic injury, require highly personalized attention. As with any illness or injury, it is extremely unwise to delay seeking professional help. Certainly in orthopedics, the longer you leave it, the worse your condition will become.

All hand surgeons must receive Board Certified training in all forms of orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, or general surgery. To become members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), surgeons must also complete a full year of specialized training and pass a rigorous certifying examination.

Many hand surgeons, me included, also diagnose and treat conditions in the wrist, elbow, arm and shoulder. The most common complaints include carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, wrist pain, sports injuries, ‘slip and fall’ fractures of the hand, wrist, and forearm, and trigger fingers. Apart from injuries, conditions may be caused by arthritis, osteoporosis, repetitive stress or a variety of congenital defects.

Patients should not be alarmed by the title “surgeon”. Surgery is often a ‘last resort’. More often than not, I recommend non-surgical treatments, such as medication, splints, therapy, and cortisone injections. My mission is to first relieve pain and then set out to correct its causes.

Accomplishments in research
At the Mayo Clinic, my research focused on the biomechanics of the hand and wrist using advanced medical imaging technology that deepens understanding of hand and wrist reconstruction.

In addition, a significant part of my work was in developing of new "anatomic and biomechanically sound" total joint replacements for the hand and wrist. In case you are wondering, this work involved literally hundreds of surgical procedures on ‘real’ patients.

Credentials
Professor of Orthopedics
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine

Residency
General Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Academic Rank
Professor of Orthopedics

Interests
Congenital hand and upper extremity, Injuries of the wrist, Arthroscopy of the wrist

Publications
For a listing of recent publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.

M.S. – Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Minnesota

Fellowship – Orthopaedic Surgery
Mayo Graduate School of Medicine

Residency – General Surgery
University of Michigan Hospitals

Internship
University of Michigan Hospitals

M.D.
St. Louis University

B.S.
University of Detroit

Fellowship – Hand Fellowship
Mayo Graduate School of Medicine

Member
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
American Society for Surgery of the Hand