Aristides I. Cruz, Jr., MD, MBA

Pediatric Orthopaedic surgeon

Specialties:

Aristides I. Cruz, Jr. MD is a Pediatric Orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions in children and adolescents. His areas of interest include traumatic injuries and fracture care, treatment of pediatric and adolescent sports related conditions, and general pediatric orthopaedics.

Dr. Cruz obtained his undergraduate degree from Tufts University in Medford, MA where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Biopsychology and Classical Studies. During his time at Tufts University, Dr. Cruz was captain of both the Cross Country and Track & Field teams, obtained All-Conference, and All-New England honors, was an Academic All-American as well as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He went on to obtain his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA where he graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha honors.

Dr. Cruz completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital/Yale University in New Haven, CT. After residency, he went on to serve in the United States Air Force as an Orthopaedic Surgeon where he was honored with multiple awards including the Air Force Commendation medal. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Dr. Cruz furthered his training, completing a fellowship in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Dr. Cruz is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a Specialty Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an Associate Member of the Arthroscopy Association of America, and a Candidate Member of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Association of North America. He is Board Certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Offices:

Dudley Street
2 Dudley St.
Providence, RI
02905

Kettle Point
1 Kettle Point Ave.
East Providence, RI
02914

Publications List

Original Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

1. Iorio R, Kobayashi S, Healy WL, Cruz AI Jr, Ayers ME. “Primary posterior cruciate retaining total knee arthoplasty: A comparison of American and Japanese cohorts.” J Surg Orthop Adv. 2007;16(4):164-70.

2. S Õunpuu, MSc, A Cruz, MD, M Westwell, MS PT, P DeLuca MD. “Distal rectus femoris intramuscular lengthening for the correction of stiff knee gait in children with cerebral palsy.” Dev Med Child Neurol. 51 (suppl 5), page 41, 2009.

3. Flanagin BA, Cruz AI, Medvecky MJ. “Hoffa Fracture in a Fourteen Year-Old: A Case Report.” Orthopedics. 2011 Jan 1;34(2).

4. Milewski MD, Cruz AI Jr, Miller CP, Peterson AT, Smith BG. “Lyme Arthritis in Children Presenting with Joint Effusions.” J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2011 Feb;93(3):252-60.

5. Smith BG, Cruz AI Jr, Milewski MD, Shapiro ED. “Lyme Disease and the Orthopaedic Implications of Lyme Arthritis.” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011 Feb;19(2):91-100.

6. Cruz AI Jr, Õunpuu S, DeLuca PA. “Distal Rectus Femoris Intramuscular Lengthening for the Correction of Stiff-Knee Gait in Children With Cerebral Palsy.” J Pediatr Orthop. 2011 Jul-Aug;31(5):541-7.

7. Cruz AI Jr, Lindskog, DM. “Pathologic Fractures Through Benign Bone Lesions in Children and Adolescents.” Curr Orthop Practice. 2011 Jul/Aug;22(4):351-61.

8. Cruz AI Jr, Laidlaw M. “Invasive Compartment Pressure Testing for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: A Survey of Clinical Practice Among Military Orthopaedic Surgeons.” Am J Orthop. 2015;44(10):E384-E389.

9. Cruz AI Jr, Aversano FJ, Seeley MA, Baldwin KD. “Pediatric Lyme Arthritis of the Hip: The Great Imitator?” J Pediatr Orthop. 2015 Oct 13. [Epub ahead of print].

10. DeFroda SF, Gil JA, Hansen H, Cruz, AI Jr. “The Providence Pedi Cast-Sling: Technique and Application.” Am J Emerg Med. 2015 Dec 17. [Epub ahead of print].

11. Fabricant PD, Lakomkin N, Cruz AI Jr, Spitzer E, Lawrence JT, Marx RG. “Early ACL Reconstruction in Children Leads to Less Meniscal and Articular Cartilage Damage when Compared with Conservative or Delayed Treatment.” J ISAKOS. 2016 Jan 21. DOI: 10.1136/jisakos-2015-000012.

12. Cruz AI Jr, Fabricant PD, Seeley MA, Ganley TJ, Lawrence JT. “Change in Size of Hamstring Grafts During Preparation for ACL Reconstruction: The Effect of Tension and Circumferential Compression on Graft Diameter.” J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016 Mar 16: 98(6): 475-483.

13. Fabricant PD, Lakomkin N, Cruz AI Jr, Spitzer E, Marx RG. “ACL Reconstruction in Youth Athletes Results in an Improved Rate of Return to Athletic Activity when Compared with Non-Operative Treatment: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” J ISAKOS 2016 Apr 18, 1 (2) 62-69; DOI:10.1136/jisakos-2015-000013

14. DeFroda SF, Hodax J, Cruz AI Jr. “Rediscovering the Physical Exam: Patellar Instability.” J Pediatr. 2016 Jun;173:258-258.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.03.025. Epub 2016 Apr 4.

15. Cruz AI Jr, Lawrence JT, Ganley TG. “Prone positioning for open reduction internal fixation of pediatric medial epicondyle fractures.” U Penn Ortho Journal. Vol 26, Jun 2016: 34-36.

16. Cruz AI Jr, Steere JT, Lawrence JT. “Medial Epicondyle Fractures in the Pediatric Overhead Athlete.” J Pediatr Orthop. 2016 Jun;36 Suppl 1:S56-62.

17. Cruz AI Jr, Lakomkin N, Fabricant PD, Lawrence JT. “Transphyseal ACL Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: Does Independent Femoral Tunnel Drilling Place the Physis at Greater Risk Compared to Transtibial Drilling?” Orthop J Sports Med. 2016 Jun 7;4(6): doi: 10.1177/ 2325967116650432. eCollection 2016 Jun.

18. Cruz AI Jr, Shea KG, Ganley TJ. “Pediatric Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the Knee.” Orthop Clin North Am. 2016 Oct;47(4):763-75. Epub 2016 Aug 6.

19. Gil JA, DeFroda SF, Sindhu K, Cruz AI Jr, Daniels AH. “Challenges of Fracture Management in Adults with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.” Orthopedics. 2016 Oct 13:1-6. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20161006-04.

20. Lakomkin N, Fabricant PD, Cruz AI Jr, Brusalis CM, Chauvin NA, Lawrence JTR. “Interrater Reliability and Age-Based Normative Values for Radiographic Indices of Syndesmosis and Deltoid Ligament Stability in Children.” JBJS Open Access. Epub 2016 Dec. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.16.00004.

21. Cruz AI Jr, Fabricant PD, McGraw M, Rozell JC, Ganley TJ, Wells L. “All-Epiphyseal ACL Reconstruction in Children: Review of Safety and Early Complications.” J Pediatr Orthop. 2017 Apr-May;37(3):204-209.

22. DeFroda SF, Hansen H, Gil JA, Hawari AH, Cruz AI Jr. “Radiographic Evaluation of Common Pediatric Elbow Injuries.” Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2017 Feb 20;9(1):7030.

23. Cruz AI Jr, Kleiner JE, Gil JA, DeFroda SF, Daniels AH, Eberson CP. “Increasing Rates of Surgical Treatment for Pediatric Forearm Fractures from 2000-2012.” J Child Orthop 2017;11. DOI 10.1302/1863-2548.11.170017

24. Defroda SF, Gil JA, Boulos A, Cruz AI Jr. “Diagnosis and Management of Traumatic Patellar Instability in the Pediatric Patient.” Orthopedics. 2017 Jun 6:1-8. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20170602-04. [Epub ahead of print].

25. Brusalis CM, Lakomkin N, Suryavanshi JR, Cruz AI Jr, Green DW, Jones KJ, Fabricant PD. “Clinical Outcomes Reporting in Youth ACL Literature is Widely Variable.” Ortho J Sports med. 2017 Aug 11;5(8): doi: 10.1177/2325967117724431.

Book Chapters

1. Cruz AI Jr, “Neuromuscular Disorders” in Pocket Orthopaedic Surgery. Eds. Boughanem J, Shah RR. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2016. ISBN-13: 978-1451185669. ISBN-10: 1451185669.

2. Cruz AI Jr, “Skeletal Dysplasias” in Pocket Orthopaedic Surgery. Eds. Boughanem J, Shah RR. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA, 2016. ISBN-13: 978-1451185669. ISBN-10: 1451185669.

3. Cruz AI Jr, Milewski MD, “Patellofemoral Instability and Other Common Knee Issues in the Skeletally Immature Athlete (Other Knee Pathology)” in Sports Medicine OKU 5. Ed. Miller MD. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rosemont, IL, 2016. ISBN: 9781625523280.

4. Flynn JM, Seeley MA, Cruz AI Jr, “Spine Injuries in the Pediatric Athlete” in Spine Injuries in Athletes, 1st Ed. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rosemont, IL, 2017. ISBN-13: 978-1496360267.

5. Cruz AI Jr, Eberson CP, Schiller JR, “Trauma to the Pelvis, Hip, and Femur: Pediatrics” in OKU 12. Ed. Grauer JN. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rosemont, IL, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-62552-554-3.

6. Socci AR, Cruz AI Jr, Hansen HD, Little R, Milewski MD. “Lower Extremity and Foot Disorders: Pediatrics” in OKU 12. Ed. Grauer JN. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rosemont, IL, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-62552-554-3.

ABSTRACTS

Podium Presentations

1. Milewski MD, Cruz AI Jr, Miller CP, Smith BG. “Incidence of Lyme arthritis in children presenting with lower extremity joint effusions.” Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, Boston, MA, April 29-May 2, 2009.

2. Milewski MD, Cruz AI Jr., Miller CP, Smith BG. “Distinguishing Lyme Arthritis from Septic Arthritis in Children Presenting with a Joint Effusion.” Connecticut Orthopaedic Society, Farmington, CT, May 29, 2009.

3. Milewski MD, Cruz AI Jr., Miller CP, Smith BG. “Distinguishing Lyme Arthritis from Septic Arthritis in Children Presenting with a Joint Effusion.” American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington, DC, October 17-20, 2009.

4. Cruz AI, Ounpuu S, DeLuca P. “Intramuscular rectus femoris lengthening for the correction of stiff knee gait in children with cerebral palsy: An evaluation using 3D motion analysis.” American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington, DC, October 17-20, 2009.

5. Milewski MD, Cruz AI Jr., Miller CP, Smith BG. “Distinguishing Lyme Arthritis from Septic Arthritis in Children Presenting with a Joint Effusion.” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, New Orleans, LA, March 9-13, 2010.

6. Milewski MD, Cruz AI Jr., Miller CP, Smith BG. “Distinguishing Lyme Arthritis from Septic Arthritis in Children Presenting with a Joint Effusion.” 20th annual Leon M. Kruger, M.D. Lectureship at the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Springfield, MA May 27, 2010.

7. Oetgen ME, Cruz AI, Yeh P, Dodds SD. “The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors in the Treatment of Pediatric Fractures of the Wrist and Forearm.” American Academy of Pediatrics, San Francisco, CA, October 1-5, 2010.

8. Oetgen ME, Cruz AI, Yeh P, Dodds SD. “The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors in the Treatment of Pediatric Fractures of the Wrist and Forearm.” New England Hand Society, Sturbridge, MA, December 3, 2010.

9. Cruz AI Jr, Ounpuu S, DeLuca P. “Rectus Femoris Intramuscular Lengthening for Stiff-Knee Gait in Children With Cerebral Palsy.” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, San Diego, CA, February 15-19, 2011.

10. Cruz AI Jr, Ounpuu S, DeLuca P. “Rectus Femoris Intramuscular Lengthening for Stiff-Knee Gait in Children With Cerebral Palsy.” Yale Orthopaedic Disputations, New Haven, CT, June 17, 2011.

11. Cruz AI Jr, McGraw M, Fabricant PD, Wells L. “Complications associated with all epiphyseal ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients.” Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, April 29-May 2, 2015, Atlanta, GA

12. Cruz AI Jr, McGraw M, Fabricant PD, Wells L. “Safety of all-epiphyseal ACL reconstruction in children.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, October 24-27, 2015, Washington, DC.

13. Cruz AI Jr, Lakomkin N, Fabricant PD, Lawrence JT. “Transphyseal ACL Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: Does Independent Femoral Tunnel Drilling Place the Physis at Greater Risk Compared to Transtibial Drilling?” Arthroscopy Association of North America, April 14-16, 2016, Boston, MA.

14. Cruz AI Jr, McGraw M, Fabricant PD, Wells L. “Safety of all-epiphyseal ACL reconstruction in children.” Arthroscopy Association of North America, April 14-16, 2016, Boston, MA.

15. Ranade S, Refakis CA, Cruz AI Jr, Gornitzky AL, Leddy KL, Wells L, Lawrence JT, Ganley, TJ. “Validated Pediatric Functional Outcomes of All-Epiphyseal ACL Reconstruction: Does Reinjury Affect Outcomes? Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, April 27-30, 2016, Indianapolis, IN.

16. Cruz AI Jr, Gil JA, Goodman AD, Daniels AH. “Resident Exposure to Pediatric Orthopaedic Procedures During Residency.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, October 22-25, 2016, San Francisco, CA.

17. DeFroda SF, Gil JA, Shah KN, Li N, Cruz AI Jr, Schiller JR. “Seasonal Variation in Lyme Arthritis Evaluated in a Northeastern State with a Single Pediatric Emergency Department.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, October 22-25, 2016, San Francisco, CA.

18. Cruz AI Jr, Lakomkin N, Fabricant PD, Lawrence JT. “The Effect of Tunnel Drill Angle on Physeal Disruption During ACL Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: Transtibial vs. Independent Drilling.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, October 22-25, 2016, San Francisco, CA.

19. Lakomkin N, Fabricant PD, Cruz AI Jr, Brusalis CM, Chauvin NA, Lawrence JT. “Interrater Reliability and Age-Based Normative Values for Radiographic Indices of Syndesmosis and Deltoid Ligament Stability in Children.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, October 22-25, 2016, San Francisco, CA.

20. Cruz AI Jr, Kleiner JE, Eberson CP, Daniels AH. “Increasing Rates of Surgical Treatment for Pediatric Forearm Fractures from 2000-2012.” Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society 4th Annual Meeting, January 26-28, 2017, Dallas, TX.

21. Lawrence JT, Lakomkin N, Fabricant PD, Cruz AI Jr, Brusalis CM, Chauvin NA. “Interrater Reliability and Age-Based Normative Values for Radiographic Indices of Syndesmosis and Deltoid Ligament Stability in Children.” EPOSNA Annual Meeting, May 3-6, 2017, Barcelona, Spain.

22. Goodman AD, Zonfrillo MR, Chiou D, Eberson CP, Cruz AI Jr. “The Cost and Utility of Post-Reduction Radiographs After Closed Reduction of Pediatric Wrist and Forearm Fractures.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, September 16-19, 2017, Chicago, IL.

23. Shah KN, Hodax J, Hayes L, Schiller JR, Cruz AI Jr. “Childhood Obesity Increases the Need for Reduction and Operative Management of Ankle Fractures.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, September 16-19, 2017, Chicago, IL.

24. Boulos A, Defroda SF, Kleiner JE, Gil JA, Cruz AI Jr. “A Cross-Sectional Study of Inpatient Orthopaedic Hardware Removal in Children.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, September 16-19, 2017, Chicago, IL.

Poster Presentations

1. Cruz AI, Ounpuu S, Solomito M, DeLuca P. “Intramuscular rectus femoris lengthening for the correction of stiff knee gait in children with cerebral palsy: An evaluation using 3D motion analysis.” Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, Denver, CO March 10-12, 2009.

2. Cruz AI Jr, Lakomkin N, Fabricant PD, Lawrence JT. “Transphyseal ACL Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: Does Independent Femoral Tunnel Drilling Place the Physis at Greater Risk Compared to Transtibial Drilling?” American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, July 7-9, 2016, Colorado Springs, CO.

3. Gil JA, Lakomkin N, Cruz AI Jr. “Visual Joint Angle Assessment of the Elbow and Wrist: Does Accuracy Improve with a Higher Level of Orthopaedic Surgery Training?” Hand Society 71st Annual Meeting, Sep 29 – Oct 1, 2016, Austin, TX.

4. Shah KN, DeFroda SF, Gil JA, Li N, Schiller JR, Cruz AI Jr. “Serum Inflammatory Markers and Synovial Fluid Analysis in Pediatric Patients with Lyme Arthritis vs. Septic Arthritis of the Knee.” American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention & Exhibition, October 22-25, 2016, San Francisco, CA.

5. Cruz AI Jr, Kleiner JE, Eberson CP, Daniels AH. “Increasing Rates of Surgical Treatment for Pediatric Proximal Humerus Fractures from 2000-2012.” Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society 4th Annual Meeting, January 26-28, 2017, Dallas, TX.

6. Rhodes JA, Cannamela PC, Cruz AI Jr, Mayo M, Styhl AC, Ganley TJ, Shea KG. “Incidence of meniscal entrapment and associated knee injuries in tibial spine avulsions.” Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society 4th Annual Meeting, January 26-28, 2017, Dallas, TX.

7. Lakomkin N, Fabricant PD, Cruz AI Jr, Brusalis CM, Chauvin NA, Lawrence JT. “Interrater Reliability and Age-Based Normative Values for Radiographic Indices of Syndesmosis and Deltoid Ligament Stability in Children.” Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society 4th Annual Meeting, January 26-28, 2017, Dallas, TX.

 

 

Useful Links

AAOS OrthoInfo: Children’s Orthopaedic Conditions
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/menus/children.cfm
Great resource for common Orthopaedic conditions in children and adolescents.

Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
https://www.posna.org/
Homepage for pediatric orthopaedic professional society.

POSNA Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/POSNA?fref=nf
Facebook page of Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. See what's current with POSNA!

OrthoKids
https://orthokids.org/
OrthoKids is the website for kids as well as parents to learn about pediatric orthopaedic conditions, injury prevention, and treatment. Everything on OrthoKids is provided by members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA).