Peter J. Apel, MD, PhD
Hand and Upper Extremity
VTC Faculty
Accepting new patients
Offering Virtual Visits
Accepting new patients
Offering Virtual Visits
"With all cases, I work together with my patient and their families to set realistic and clear goals and follow-up with action and accountability."
Videos
From Almost Losing Her Feet to Dancing Ballet
4 minutes 9 seconds
A horrific accident left a vibrant 6-year-old New River Valley girl with both feet severed—until our team of surgeons took on the case of a lifetime to reattach them. Back in May, Aubrey was riding in the backseat of her dad’s pickup truck on the way home from gymnastics practice. She was playing with a cargo strap when one end of the strap went out the window, slid between the cab and bed of the truck and severed both of her feet while nearly pulling her from the vehicle. First assessed at CNRV, Aubrey Scaletta was airlifted by Life-Guard to our Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, where pediatric hand surgeon Peter Apel, M.D, Ph.D., quickly assembled a team of orthopaedic and plastic surgeons to make a difficult decision and take action in a short window of time. Dr. Apel stated that the options were to give up and amputate—or give Aubrey the best chance by operating immediately. They chose the second option and, in short order, Dr. Apel led the team through a complex, 6-hour-long, intricate dual reattachment surgery. Aubrey's journey is not complete, but only six months later, the now 7-year-old girl crossed the stage at Virginia Tech's Moss Arts Center and danced alongside her twin sister Grayson in The Nutcracker. Learn more about Carilion Clinic's Orthopaedics Department https://www.carilionclinic.org/ortho Audio described version: https://youtu.be/SYP6c4KbEM4
Carilion Clinic | Brachial Plexus Care
1 minute 47 seconds
Mr. Justus was involved in a severe motorcycle crash and was brought into Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital as a Level 1 trauma patient with several injuries. He was a candidate for a specialized nerve transfer procedure, the goal is to restore function from the brachial plexus injury causing the paralysis in his arm. Dr. Peter Apel and Dr. Cesar Bravo's training and expertise has lead to Homer regaining near full use of his arm. Lear more about Carilion Clinic Orthopaedic specialty care - https://carilionclinic.org/ortho This video was recorded prior to COVID-19 protocols and recommendations. Audio described version: https://youtu.be/6OIjMmJHVxo
When is it Safe to Drive After Rotator Cuff Surgery?
2 minutes 47 seconds
A collaboration between Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine supported by iThriv grant funding. This research examines how long it takes a patient recovering from rotator cuff surgery to safely drive again. Learn More about Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics: https://www.carilionclinic.org/ortho Audio described version: https://youtu.be/QgVKHS4kRqY
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Videos
Locations
Background
Medical School
- Loyola University Chicago
Fellowships
- The Hospital for Sick Children
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Specialties or Medical Focus
- Hand and Upper Extremity
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Pediatric Orthopaedics
Internships
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
NPI
- 1013178052
Residencies
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Services
Conditions Treated
- Brachial plexus problems in children & adults
- Complex elbow and wrist trauma
- Complex hand trauma
- Nerve problems of the hand or arm
- Nerve problems of the thigh and leg
- Painful nerves in the hand, arm or leg
- Pediatric hand, wrist and arm problems (all)
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Tumors of the shoulder, arm and hands
- Tumors of the thigh and leg
- Wounds and tissue loss from tumors or trauma
Treatments Offered
- Excision of tumors
- Nerve decompression in the lower extremity
- Nerve decompression in the upper extremity
- Nerve reconstruction
- Nerve repair
- Nerve transfers
- Non-surgical treatment for pediatric hand, wrist and arm conditions
- Skin grafts & flaps of the hand, wrist or arm
- Surgery for hand vascular conditions
- Surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome
- Surgical treatment for pediatric hand, wrist and arm conditions
Biography
Dr. Apel joined Carilion Clinic’s Institute for Orthopaedics and Neurosciences in 2015. Although Dr. Apel is a hand and pediatric orthopaedic surgery specialist, Dr. Apel also has a ‘specialty’ in rare and unusual problems within orthopaedic surgery. He is associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and teaches fellows, residents and medical students.
Dr. Apel is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, and the American Society for Peripheral Nerve.
Dr. Apel has served the Commonwealth as a member of the Board of Medicine since 2022.
In his free time, Dr. Apel enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children, home improvement and working outdoors.
Ratings and Reviews
Accepted Insurance
Carilion Clinic contracts with most major health insurance carriers. This list is updated periodically and is subject to change without notice. Please contact your insurance company or health benefits manager to better understand how your policy works and any financial liability that you may have, prior to receiving care.
Love Dr. Apel. Very professional.