Dr. Charles Cefalu, Jr., is a fellowship-trained orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon at Ochsner Health, treating patients in Baton Rouge, Prairieville and Denham Springs, Louisiana, with expertise in peripheral neuropathy, microvascular surgery, and complex upper extremity reconstruction. He provides comprehensive care for conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, De Quervain's disease, and injuries involving the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder, including fractures, ligament injuries, cysts, and tumors. Dr. Cefalu also specializes in post-traumatic reconstruction of bony, neurologic and soft tissue defects, offering advanced procedures tailored to each patient’s needs.

Dr. Cefalu earned his medical degree at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he served as vice president of the Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group and the Catholic Student Association, as well as a member of the Aesculapian Society and the Council on Professional Conduct. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedics Residency Program in Boston, where he served as chief resident. He then completed a fellowship in hand, upper extremity and microvascular surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina.

Throughout his training, Dr. Cefalu received numerous awards, including Harvard Orthopaedics Best Clinical Thesis and the Michael O’Brien Donor Award. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the Southern Orthopaedic Association and the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association.

Dr. Cefalu’s passion for medicine was inspired by his father, a respected geriatrician. During medical school, he recognized the life-changing results that often accompany the treatment of orthopedic injuries and conditions, reinforcing his dedication to the field. He is committed to not only alleviating his patients’ ailments but also fostering meaningful relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds. His approach combines clinical expertise with a genuine interest in understanding each patient’s unique needs and experiences, ensuring personalized and compassionate care.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Cefalu enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, hunting and swimming.