Ariel Williams, MD
Assistant ProfessorCards
About
Research
Publications
2020
Author Reply to “Regarding ‘High Clinical Failure Following Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for Revision Massive Rotator Cuff Tears’”
Kia C, Muench L, Williams A, Avery D, Cote M, Reed N, Arciero R, Chandawarkar R, Mazzocca A. Author Reply to “Regarding ‘High Clinical Failure Following Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for Revision Massive Rotator Cuff Tears’”. Arthroscopy The Journal Of Arthroscopic And Related Surgery 2020, 36: 2350-2351. PMID: 32891238, DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2020.07.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchClinical Outcomes Following Biologically Enhanced Patch Augmentation Repair as a Salvage Procedure for Revision Massive Rotator Cuff Tears
Muench L, Kia C, Jerliu A, Williams A, Berthold D, Cote M, McCarthy M, Arciero R, Mazzocca A. Clinical Outcomes Following Biologically Enhanced Patch Augmentation Repair as a Salvage Procedure for Revision Massive Rotator Cuff Tears. Arthroscopy The Journal Of Arthroscopic And Related Surgery 2020, 36: 1542-1551. PMID: 32241704, DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2020.02.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAmerican Shoulder and Elbow SurgeonsPatient acceptable symptomatic statePatient acceptable symptomatic state criteriaConcentrated bone marrow aspirateSimple Shoulder TestMinimal clinically important differenceRotator cuff tearsClinically important differenceMassive rotator cuff tearsAugmented repairShoulder TestClinical successClinical outcomesPostoperative Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scoresFollow-upCuff tearsAmerican Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoreSingle Assessment Numeric Evaluation scoreClinical outcomes of patientsMean American Shoulder and Elbow SurgeonsImportant differenceOutcomes of patientsBone marrow aspirateDay of surgeryPlatelet-rich plasmaHigh Clinical Failure Rate After Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for Revision Massive Rotator Cuff Tears
Muench L, Kia C, Williams A, Avery D, Cote M, Reed N, Arciero R, Chandawarkar R, Mazzocca A. High Clinical Failure Rate After Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for Revision Massive Rotator Cuff Tears. Arthroscopy The Journal Of Arthroscopic And Related Surgery 2020, 36: 88-94. PMID: 31864605, DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2019.07.034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAmerican Shoulder and Elbow SurgeonsClinical failure rateSimple Shoulder Test scoreFailed rotator cuff repairRotator cuff tearsLatissimus dorsi transferFatty infiltrationRisk factorsRotator cuff repairComplication rateClinical failurePostoperative Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scoresFollow-upAcromiohumeral intervalCuff tearsAssociated with postoperative failurePostoperative American Shoulder and Elbow SurgeonsAmerican Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoreSingle Assessment Numeric Evaluation scoreDorsi transferClinical success ratePreoperative risk factorsRetrospective chart reviewCuff repairFollow-up time
2019
Does quality of life influence retear rate following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?
Zakko P, Scheiderer B, Beitzel K, Shoji M, Williams A, DiVenere J, Cote M, Mazzocca A, Imhoff F. Does quality of life influence retear rate following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair? Journal Of Shoulder And Elbow Surgery 2019, 28: s124-s130. PMID: 31196505, DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2019.03.040.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFull-thickness tearsRotator cuff repairArthroscopic rotator cuff repairCuff repairIntact rotator cuff repairRetear rateRandomized clinical trialsRotator cuffMonths of rehabilitationMagnetic resonance imagingDouble-row rotator cuff repairProtocol patientsCompliant patientsShoulder immobilizationWORC scoreClinical trialsPostoperative qualityPatientsResonance imagingTorn rotator cuffMonthsWeeksSecondary analysisRetearTearsRecurrent Shoulder Instability: Do Morbidity and Treatment Differ Based on Insurance?
Williams A, Mancini N, Kia C, Wolf M, Gupta S, Cote M, Arciero R. Recurrent Shoulder Instability: Do Morbidity and Treatment Differ Based on Insurance? Orthopaedic Journal Of Sports Medicine 2019, 7: 2325967119841079. PMID: 31065553, PMCID: PMC6487768, DOI: 10.1177/2325967119841079.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTraumatic anterior shoulder instabilityAnterior shoulder instabilityExtensive surgical proceduresTime of surgeryGlenoid bone lossBone lossShoulder instabilitySurgical stabilizationSurgical proceduresAssociated with increased bone lossRecurrent traumatic anterior shoulder instabilityHistory of instabilityPreoperative imaging studiesLevel of evidenceMedicaid patientsNon-Medicaid insuranceSevere bone lossIntraoperative findingsSports medicine practiceDelayed careCohort studyInstability episodesSurgeryArthroscopic repairImaging studies
2018
Postoperative Pain After Surgical Treatment of Ankle Fractures
Chou L, Niu E, Williams A, Duester R, Anderson S, Harris A, Hunt K. Postoperative Pain After Surgical Treatment of Ankle Fractures. JAAOS Global Research And Reviews 2018, 2: e021. PMID: 30465035, PMCID: PMC6226297, DOI: 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-18-00021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAnticipated postoperative painAnkle fracturesPostoperative painManagement of patients' painManagement of ankle fracturesPain experienceShort-Form McGill Pain QuestionnaireFixation of ankle fracturesInternal fixation of anklePatients' pain experienceMcGill Pain Questionnaire scoresMcGill Pain QuestionnairePain Questionnaire scoresRisk of long-term useShort-form McGill Pain Questionnaire scoresPreoperative pain severityPostoperative pain levelsSignificant differencePain QuestionnairePain severityPatient's painPain medicationShort formPatient satisfactionPain levelsThe Scleroderma Hand: Manifestations of Disease and Approach to Management
Williams A, Carl H, Lifchez S. The Scleroderma Hand: Manifestations of Disease and Approach to Management. The Journal Of Hand Surgery 2018, 43: 550-557. PMID: 29691079, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.03.021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRare autoimmune connective tissue disorderDeficient soft tissue envelopeScleroderma handAutoimmune connective tissue disorderHand conditionsConnective tissue disordersJoint contracturesSoft tissue envelopeSurgical interventionUnderlying diseaseTissue disordersTissue envelopeDigital gangreneDigital ischemiaSclerodermaSoft tissueCalcium depositionCareChronic woundsInterventionDiseaseManifestationsPain
2017
Chondral Injuries and Irreparable Meniscal Tears Among Adolescents With Anterior Cruciate Ligament or Meniscal Tears Are More Common in Patients With Public Insurance
Williams A, Mancini N, Solomito M, Nissen C, Milewski M. Chondral Injuries and Irreparable Meniscal Tears Among Adolescents With Anterior Cruciate Ligament or Meniscal Tears Are More Common in Patients With Public Insurance. The American Journal Of Sports Medicine 2017, 45: 2111-2115. PMID: 28530851, DOI: 10.1177/0363546517707196.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInternational Knee Documentation CommitteePreoperative IKDC scoreAnterior cruciate ligamentMeniscal tearsChondral injuriesIrreparable meniscal tearsCurrent Procedural TerminologyIKDC scoreDelayed presentationPreoperative International Knee Documentation CommitteeRetrospective study of patientsPrognosis of young patientsAnterior cruciate ligament tearsOffice visitsIsolated ACL tearsAnterior cruciate ligament reconstructionIsolated meniscal tearsStudy of patientsPublic insurancePrivate insuranceIncidence of chondral injuryCruciate ligamentLevel of evidenceSports medicine centerYears of age
2016
Arthroscopic and Open Stabilization Techniques for Anterior Instability in the Contact Athlete
Williams A, Arciero R. Arthroscopic and Open Stabilization Techniques for Anterior Instability in the Contact Athlete. Operative Techniques In Sports Medicine 2016, 24: 278-285. DOI: 10.1053/j.otsm.2016.09.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchContact athletesShoulder instabilityFailure of surgical repairLong-term morbidityBone block procedureTreatment of shoulder instabilityChoice of procedureSurgical repairImaging findingsAthletesSurgical techniqueBankart repairPhysical examinationClinical evaluationHistory takingShoulder dislocationAnterior instabilityCareer lengthBlock procedureShoulderRepairRepair Integrity and Clinical Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Williams A, Mark P, DiVenere J, Klinge S, Arciero R, Mazzocca A. Repair Integrity and Clinical Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. Orthopaedic Journal Of Sports Medicine 2016, 4: 2325967116s00194. PMCID: PMC4968349, DOI: 10.1177/2325967116s00194.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSingle Assessment Numeric EvaluationWestern Ontario Rotator CuffPostoperative magnetic resonance imagingMagnetic resonance imagingRotator cuff repairRepair integrityRepair failurePain scoresClinical outcomesSling useCuff repairFunctional outcomesSupraspinatus tearsSingle Assessment Numeric Evaluation scoreFellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologistsFellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeonsRehabilitation protocolAssociated with high failure ratesArthroscopic repairs of isolated supraspinatus tearsAssessment Numeric EvaluationEarly motionMonths post-operativelyAssociated with higher ratesThickness supraspinatus tearArthroscopic rotator cuff repair
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Ariel Williams, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery. She treats the full spectrum of upper extremity problems, including fractures, sports injuries, nerve problems, arthritis, and work-related and overuse conditions. She has fellowship training in both hand surgery and sports medicine and particular interests in women's preventive health, athletic injuries, and advanced hand and wrist reconstruction.
Dr. Williams was inspired to become a hand and upper extremity surgeon by a passion for getting people back to the activities they love. “It’s such a joy to meet different people every day and to have tools that improve their comfort and quality of life,” she says. She works closely with each patient, learning about their unique needs and goals so that she can formulate an individualized treatment plan. “The field of hand surgery is so advanced. There are so many ways to help patients, and the improvement they see with the right treatment can be truly profound,” she says.
Dr. Williams uses minimally invasive approaches when possible to minimize soft tissue injury and speed healing. When appropriate, she uses platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP), a regenerative medicine technique that can promote healing and the regrowth of injured tissue. Dr. Williams is also an expert in treating Dupuytren’s disease, a progressive condition that causes the fingers to bend toward the palm. She offers a variety of treatments for this issue, including both surgical and nonsurgical techniques.
One of Dr. Williams’s favorite things about working at Yale is the opportunity to drive the field of hand surgery forward. “At Yale, we’re really at the cutting edge of orthopaedics,” she says. “Because of the incredible resources and opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration, we can offer our patients innovative solutions that just wouldn’t be possible elsewhere.”
Clinical Specialties
Hand Surgery; Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery; Sports Medicine
Fact Sheets
Hand Surgery
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Surgery of the Hand (Orthopaedics)
- Certification Organization
- AB of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Original Certification Date
- 2020
Orthopaedic Surgery
- Certification Organization
- AB of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Original Certification Date
- 2019