Peter A. Cole, MD

07/17/2025

So Long Great One!

It has been an honor to serve under the recent past Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery for 18 years. Since I’ve served as Chief of Orthopaedics at Regions Hospital, responsible for the growth of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota practice in Saint Paul, I have had the chance to co-lead the transitions over this period working with many dozens of faculty, fellows, residents, medical students, and university personnel, on behalf and for Dr. Denis Clohisy. My success would not have been possible without this giant of the field, a mentor, friend, and great physician colleague. Denis’ grit-factor is off the scales. He has navigated a highly complex web of relationships between the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Physicians, The University of Minnesota, and many health systems with mercurial faculty and a spectrum of leaders.

This past graduation and retirement month, Dr. Clohisy’s accolades cascaded through the ceremonies and events celebrating his career. It is fitting that he was selected Teacher of the Year—again. It is fitting that he was recognized as a foremost basic science investigator with top-ranked NIH funding. It is fitting that his primary callout for the new generation’s highest priority should simply be, The Patient. Have fun fishing Denis, and loving your growing family.

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07/17/2025

Built on purpose

07/15/2025

In the past I have designed implants myself with engineers, but this was better—a TEAM Tour de Force. The project was highly gratifying professionally and personally as we all grew in knowledge, skill, network, and wisdom. This team started with a clinical problem that had no published good solution, yet one which I was being referred frequently—the dreaded rTSA related fracture. Our 6 surgeon-lenses and Exactech’s premier group just crushed it. You have a phenomenal team. Thank you.

🔗 https://www.exac.com/exactech-announces-fda-clearance-of-first-to-market-scapula-reconstruction-system-for-acromial-stress-fractures/

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06/20/2025

Last month, Scalpel At The Cross celebrated the grand opening of the Miracle Campus in Pucallpa, Peru—an important step forward in bringing orthopaedic care, prosthetics, and rehabilitation to a region long underserved. The campus will serve as the first Orthotics & Prosthetics and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation facility in the Peruvian Amazon Jungle.

This miracle symbolizes much more than a mere building—it’s the result of years of dedication, vision, and tireless work from an extraordinary team. From architects and medical professionals to local partners and global supporters, countless hands and hearts came together to bring this to fruition...yet it is just the beginning.

06/16/2025

Mini-Boomerang--Common Sense Applied

It’s a combination of MIO and Extensile Judet for far lateral transpinous fractures or anatomical scapular neck variants lateral to the coracoid, which yields access to the spine or spinoglenoid notch as well as the glenoid neck.

This approach improves exposure and cosmesis, while reducing dissection and recovery.

Techniques in Orthopaedics--Check it out!

Read here: https://journals.lww.com/techortho/abstract/2025/06000/mini_boomerang_approach_for_the_treatment_of.2.aspx



Regions Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, HealthPartners, The Scapula Institute, Techniques in Orthopaedics, et al.

06/09/2025

REGISTER NOW for the 6th Annual 2025 Minnesota Scapula Course — Spots are limited!

The high incidence of scapula injuries nationwide compared to the limited number of trained surgeons underscores the critical need for this program.

This is the only course in the world dedicated exclusively to one of the most neglected injuries. Backed by experience training surgeons across 5 continents, the MN Scapula Course equips attendees with the tools for expert evaluation, decision-making, and surgical management of scapula fractures.

Join a world-class faculty for two engaging days of lectures, cadaveric labs, and interactive case discussions—designed for surgeons ready to elevate patient care.

Let’s keep raising the standard!

🗓️ September 12th-13th
🎟️ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-minnesota-scapula-course-tickets-1256658502409?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/03/2025

I am very grateful to partner with et al.

I am a surgeon—I operate. I am a researcher—I write. I am an educator—I teach. This is what I would rather do, more than mowing the lawn, fixing an electrical short, or managing finances; that’s why we have lawn people, electricians, and wealth managers. I want to spend my time pursuing my calling, not building my websites and managing my social platforms.

My colleagues and I know we are not promoted very well to the people who need us. Stated a better way, the people who need me don’t know how to find me. Most of my patients with complex problems have seen multiple doctors and paraprofessionals before “finding” me, and they all have a different frustrating story about the journey. This reality is because my only marketing program is to, “Say yes and always be available,” a passive-reactive approach to practice building.

Until et al., the proactive methodology for connecting patients to surgeons has not effectively existed, and I’m embracing it!

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05/09/2025

Jeff Winter, DPT -- Academic Program Director, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota-- Regions Hospital NORTHSTAR Ortho Trauma lab.

Jeff had a couple choice spots at the Annual Meeting for the Chest Wall Injury Society in Atlanta and gave an inspiring talk.

Here is Jeff explaining the Goldilocks Principle to Rehabilitation which is critical for my Forequarter Lateral Implosion patients.

Top Notch Physical Therapists can save weeks and ultimate outcomes. Both they and the patient need to avoid "The Too's!"

04/18/2025

Looking forward to this event filled with like-minded, mission-minded, awesome-minded friends! Chest Wall Injury Society Atlanta Annual Meeting April 23rd-26th in the Westin Peachtree Plaza.

Agenda filled with Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota—Regions Hospital NorthStar TEAM Assignments:

*April 23:

•Advanced Chest Wall Injury Stabilization Cadaver Lab – Sternum Fixation (Dr. COLE)

*April 24:

•Grassroots Orthopedis Trechniques 😁: How I do things in 5 min (Drs. WEATHERBY, Wojahn)

•Poster Session (Dr. HUACO)

•Interdisciplinary Team Discussion: Rehabilitation of the Chest Injured Patient (Dr. Winter)

*April 25:

•Addition of True-Blue Imaging Technique on Chondral Assessment of the Chest Wall Computed Tomography (Dr. HUACO)

*April 26:

•Frankenplating “Craziest Cases” Where are they now? (Dr. COLE)

•Interdisciplinary Follow-Up Clinic - The essentials? (Dr. WINTER)

•CWIS – KLS Martin Group Resident Research Fellowship Award for Development of a Chest Functional Outcome Tool (Dr. XU)

•CWIS – Show us less than perfect! (Dr. COLE)

04/07/2025

A Day to Pioneer!

The goal with my 2 Ortho Trauma Fellows and 2 Trauma Research Fellows was to document my new technique for the Reconstruction of Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocations.

I wish to thank Arthrex and their industrious staff for making this important event possible-indebted!

Traumatic SC dislocations, more appropriately called Manubrial-Clavicular Dislocations, displace posterior into the chest, or anterior off the chest, and I believe the ex*****on of the Tendon reconstruction of the joint should account for this. Publication to Follow.

03/27/2025

The Minnesota Scapula Course will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn from leading national and regional experts from multiple disciplines. This conference will include general lectures, cadaver labs, case studies, panels, and an operative procedure video presentation to augment the educational experience of addressing current topics dealing with scapula fracture repair. SIGN UP NOW!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-minnesota-scapula-course-tickets-1256658502409?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/20/2025