Dr. Alfred J. Cook Jr., MD

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Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Alfred J. Cook Jr., who serves patients in The Villages, Florida.

Recognized as a highly-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Cook Jr. specializes in sports medicine, including shoulder surgery and replacement, rotator cuff repairs, cartilage regeneration, as well as knee procedures and arthroscopy. He enjoys being able to use today’s, and even tomorrow’s, modern technology at Advanced Orthopedics Institute in The Villages, Florida. 

“We’re keeping patients at the forefront of medical evolution, while still providing a certain level of quality” he stated. Advanced Orthopedics Institute emphasizes ADVANCED by providing cutting-edge treatment and a holistic approach to patients. The practice handles most aspects of orthopedics, with specialization in total joint replacement.

For anyone wondering why someone would go into orthopedics, the answer is the cool tools. At least it is for Dr. Cook Jr. He knew in high school he wanted to be a doctor, and he was interested in becoming a heart surgeon. However, he learned that the field of cardiothoracic surgery wasn’t what he expected during his third year at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“I realized I always enjoyed orthopedics in the sense that you were able to bring about outcomes for patients relatively quickly. You could take a person who could barely walk and allow them to walk and get back to activities relatively quickly. So that was very appealing to me” expressed the doctor. 

After earning his medical degree at Northwestern, he completed his internship and residency at the university’s McGaw Medical Center. With a passion for working with athletes and patients who want to remain active, Dr. Cook Jr. chose to complete his fellowship in shoulder and sports medicine at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. 

Following his education, he attained board certification in orthopedic surgery through the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopedic residents and surgeons as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopedic surgeons. He also attained fellowship status with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

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