John C. Elfar, MD

Specialty Focus

I specialize in orthopedic surgery, and orthopedic sports medicine. This includes sports-related injuries and non-sports-related injuries. Most of my practice centers on the upper extremity, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers. I also specialize in complex orthopedic reconstructions.

Care Philosophy

I feel a surgeon is a patient's advocate, and my goal is to provide a service that will make them have a healthier lifestyle. It's a privilege to care for patients, especially in the setting of surgery. Every patient is different, and each with their own unique dreams and aspirations. My goal is to communicate and educate my patients on the care options available, to provide the latest advancements in treatment and evidence based surgical care to the bedside.

Interests & Activities

I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling. I love my job. I love it so much that you will find me in clinic or in the OR even on my days off.

• Fellowship, Hand Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 2008
• Residency, Orthopedic Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center - Strong Memorial Hospital, 2007
• Medical Education, Harvard Medical School Gordon Hall of Medicine, 2002

Board Certifications

• Hand Surgery, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, 2011
• Sports Medicine, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, 2011
• Orthopedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, 2010

With a focus on trauma and trauma-related injuries and drug repurposing for multi-tissue regenerative medicine, my research team has begun clinical trials on conditions that seem far afield from orthopedics. Examples include:

• Sponsoring the first investigator-initiated trial into treatments to ameliorate the consequences of nerve injury after prostate cancer surgery
• Gaining approval and funding to pursue first-ever trials for aminopyridine to diagnose nerve continuity in severely traumatized patients
• Initial translational work to use erythropoietin for gastrointestinal problems ranging from postoperative ileus to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in children
• Exploring ways to address wound healing problems with 4-aminopyridine, with approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to pursue clinical trials of 4-AP as a wound-healing agent

1625 N. Campbell Ave.
Suite 8401
Tucson, AZ 85719