Ellis Cooper, MD
Specializing in Procedures of the Arm, Elbow, Shoulder, Hand and Wrist
Dr. Cooper is recognized as the ARK-LA-TEX leader in minimally invasive procedures to treat hand and wrist conditions. A native of Shreveport, he returned to join Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana after a distinguished career in the United States Army, as an orthopedic hand surgeon. His time in the military coincided with the most intense phases of our nation’s conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and he participated in the care of our wounded service members at multiple points along their evacuation chain, including the front lines. He served in leadership positions at Army facilities in Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and was Chief of Orthopedic Surgery for the 28th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. He also served as the Regimental Surgeon for the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment in Bosnia Herzegovina.
Dr. Cooper is board certified in both hand surgery and orthopedic surgery. He is a fellow in both the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). He has a particular interest in carpal tunnel syndrome and has performed more minimally invasive endoscopic carpal tunnel releases than any other surgeon in the state. His commitment to his practice is based on a feeling that no other specialty so directly improves a patient’s quality of life in such a timely manner. He is committed to providing the most compassionate and effective care possible.
Dr. Cooper and his wife, Nancy, are childhood sweethearts and have been happily married for over 30 years. They are the proud parents of three children- Suzanne, William, and Nathan. The Coopers have lived around the world and after many years spent away from Shreveport- Bossier city, decided that there is no place like home and having the opportunity to be near family and lifelong friends.
Training and Affiliations
Cooper’s Affiliations
● Northwest Louisiana Medical Society
● Louisiana State Medical Society
● Louisiana Orthopedic Association
● American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
● American Society for Surgery of the Hand
● American Association for Hand Surgery
● Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeon
● Specialists Hospital Shreveport
Board of Managers, President
Cooper’s Training
● Residency – Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
● Medical school – Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, Louisiana
● Undergraduate – United States Military Academy, West Point, New York
Cooper’s Team
George Carney, MA
George has been part of the Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana team for over twenty years and has worked with Dr. Cooper for over 12 years. George assists Dr. Cooper in the clinic as well as in the OR.
Nikki Porter, PA-C
Nikki has been part of the OSl family for over 15 year and began working with Dr. Cooper in May 2021 Nikki graduated from LSUHS-Shreveport Physician Assistant Program in 2005 and has worked in both primary care and orthopedics since that time. She is happily married with (2) beautiful children.
(3) Things to Know about Ellis Cooper, MD…
Hands down… we think he is the coolest.
1. He is a proud United States Veteran
Dr. Cooper is a graduate of United States Military Academy at WestPoint. He attended Medical School at Tulane University and completed his orthopedic residency at Brooks Army medical Center in San Antonio and ultimately went on to complete an upper extremity/hand fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. His time in the military coincided with the most intense phases of our nation’s conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and he participated in the care of our wounded service members at multiple points along their evacuation chain, including the front lines. He served in leadership positions at Army facilities in Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and was Chief of Orthopedic Surgery for the 28th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. He also served as the Regimental Surgeon for the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Bosnia Herzegovina. Within his practice, he has advocated and implemented the acceptance of TRICARE at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana and Specialists Hospital Shreveport.
2. He is a lifelong athlete.
Dr. Cooper grew up playing sports and played college football at The United States Academy at WestPoint. He is an avid tennis player and believes his desire to remain active gives him greater insight and empathy with patients who may be struggling to remain active due to overuse, wear and tear and acute injuries of the musculoskeletal system.
3. He fellowship trained and board certified.
Dr. Cooper is board certified in both hand surgery and orthopedic surgery. He is a fellow in both the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). He has a particular interest in carpal tunnel syndrome and has performed more minimally invasive endoscopic carpal tunnel releases than any other surgeon in the state of Louisiana.
Cooper’s Approach to Care
“My job is to get my patients back to what they want to be doing and to help them reach their goals. One of the most rewarding aspects of orthopedics- particularly specializing in upper extremity/hand & wrist – is the ability to have an almost immediate and direct impact on a patient’s quality of life. Not a lot of orthopedic surgeons are comfortable dealing with the hand because of the structure is so complex… that challenges and intrigues me.”
In the news…
Hand & Wrist Pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. It also controls the muscle at...