Dr. Miguel A. Pirela Cruz, MD

Expert Publications

• Frequency and characteristics of the scaphoid cortical ring sign.
• Management of posttraumatic segmental bone defects.
• Lipoblastoma circumscripta of the toe: a case report and review of the literature.
• Distraction lengthening of the thumb following replantation.
• A technical note on percutaneous scaphoid fixation using a hybrid technique.
• A case study of negative pressure wound therapy to manage acute necrotizing fasciitis.
• Bilateral gluteal compartment syndrome: a rare but potentially morbid entity.
• Exposure of distal radius fractures using a direct radial approach with mobilization of the superficial branch of the radial nerve.
• Correction of extra-articular distal radius malunions using an anatomic radial plate.
• Posterolateral subluxation exposure of the elbow for injuries involving the lateral column.
• Humeral rotational osteotomy for shoulder deformity in obstetric brachial plexus palsy: which direction should I rotate?
• CORR Insights: Prevalence of triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities regardless of symptoms rise with age: systematic review and pooled analysis.
• Surgical Management of Symptomatic Extensor Digitorum Brevis Manus: A Proposed Algorithm for Treatment.
• Surgical correction of distal radius malunions using an anatomic radial locking plate.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Hand Surgeon Dr. Miguel A. Pirela-Cruz, who serves patients throughout the State of Arizona.

Dr. Pirela-Cruz is an award-winning orthopedic hand surgeon with Dignity Health. Namely, he offers his services at the following locations: DHMG Specialty Medicine – Mercy Gilbert, DHMG Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery Chandler Regional, DHMG Specialty Orthopedics and Plastics St Josephs, SJHMC Hospital Services, and CRMC Hospital Services.

The facilities where Dr. Pirela-Cruz is credentialed and approved to perform procedures at are Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.

Seeing each patient as different, his philosophy of patient care is individualized. Dr. Pirela-Cruz strives to get to know and understand each patient’s needs and educates them on all of their options. He would never recommend a procedure to a patient that he wouldn’t do for himself or his family.

With a broad educational background, Dr. Pirela-Cruz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the State University of New York College at Old Westbury. He studied Biochemistry after obtaining a Health Professions Scholarship from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

Thereafter, Dr. Pirela-Cruz obtained his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He performed an internship in general surgery in the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in New Orleans, after which he completed his orthopedic training at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center/Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. 

Furthering his training, Dr. Pirela-Cruz completed his fellowship in hand surgery with Drs. Hunter and Larry Schnieder at Thomas Jefferson University. He then entered the United States Air Force during his last year of orthopedic residency in affiliation with the Air Force Institute of Technology as a Captain. 

He has been stationed at McGuire in New Jersey; Wright-Patterson in Ohio; McConnell in Kirkland, New Mexico; Homestead, Florida; Holloman, New Mexico; and Luke Air Force, Arizona Bases. In the Air Force, he was part of the International Health Team and traveled to many parts of the globe. He was tagged to serve for the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. 

Currently, Dr. Pirela-Cruz serves as the Company Commander for the 944 Medical Squadron at Luke AFB, Glendale as a Col., Flight Surgeon and orthopedic surgeon. He has been promoted through the ranks to hold positions such as Major – Lt Col Flight Surgeon/Orthopedic Surgeon, Chief Hospital Services, Lt. Col, and Col Flight Surgeon / Orthopedic Surgeon to his current position.

Board-certified in orthopedic surgery and surgery of the hand, Dr. Pirela-Cruz is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS). To ensure safe, ethical, and effective practice of orthopedic surgery, the ABOS maintains the highest standards for education, practice, and conduct through examination, certification, and maintenance of certification for the benefit of the public.

For the last 15 years, he has served as an active member of the Board of Examiners for the ABOS.

Hand surgery is the field of medicine that deals with problems of the hand, wrist, and forearm. Hand surgeons care for these problems with and without surgery. They are specially trained to operate when necessary. Many hand surgeons are also experts in diagnosing and caring for conditions of the elbow.

Recognized for his excellence in leadership and orthopedic surgery, Dr. Pirela-Cruz has presented, published, and consulted on the complexities of orthopedic injuries, treatment therapies, and surgical techniques to improve the patient’s condition and overall postoperative function.

On a more personal note, he is fluent in both English and Spanish.

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