Austin Cole, M.D.

Dr. Austin Cole is the newest physician to join the Conway Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center (COSMC), affiliated with Conway Regional Heath System. He is ecstatic to be partnered with the hospital system in his hometown, in which he’s watched his father contribute to for 30 years. Dr. Cole graduated from Conway High School in 2010. He played football for the Wampus Cats and was awarded the Scholastic Athlete Award upon graduation. He began his pursuit for orthopedics and sports medicine in high school through following Dr. Tom Roberts and his practice.

For undergraduate studies, Dr. Cole attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in the Honors Program in 2014. He was recognized as an Arkansas Senior Scholar with a 4.00 GPA. Upon graduation, Dr. Cole was presented with the University’s most prestigious award, the Arkansas Alumni Association Senior Honor Citation which is given to the most outstanding graduating student from the University of Arkansas. He also served as Associated Student Government Secretary of the student body, Senator for the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, as well as Director of Athletic Relations.

Dr. Cole was granted early acceptance to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he obtained his medical degree in 2018 with Honors in Research. He was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, graduating in the top of his class. He was awarded various scholarships including the AMA scholarship, UAMS class of 1984 scholarship, UAMS College of Medicine scholarship, and Barton foundation scholarship. During his medical training, Dr. Cole held leadership positions in organizations such as UAMS Sports Medicine Interest Group, CMDA, UAMS Global Health, UAMS Arkansas Outdoor Physicians, and others.

He completed his orthopedic residency training at the well regarded Prisma Health Orthopedic Surgery Program in Greenville, South Carolina from 2018-2023. While in training, Dr. Cole was awarded the Orthopedic Academic Excellence Award, the Orthopedic Leadership Award, and was elected as Chief Resident by his peers. He also served as the orthopedic delegate on the Prisma Health Residency Senate, as well as the Resident Liaison for the underserved community clinic. In addition to training in all aspects of orthopedic surgery, he gained experience in sports medicine from the well-known Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas. While training under the team physicians of Clemson University, he assisted with care of the athlete in the training room and on the sideline.

Dr. Cole then obtained a fellowship in sports medicine and a mini fellowship in sports foot and ankle through the University of Kansas Health System from 2023-2024. He received specialty training in the most up to date techniques in sports medicine and arthroscopy. Dr. Cole assisted in care of the Kansas City Chiefs during the season of the back-to-back Super Bowls. He assisted in care and coverage of the Kansas City Royals, including trips to the Dominican Republic Training Academy and Arizona Spring Training. Furthermore, he assisted in care and coverage of the University of Kansas Athletics, including the prestigious basketball program, football, track and field, baseball, and other sports. During that year Kansas Team Health was awarded the Big 12 Sports Medicine Staff of the Year. While in fellowship, Dr. Cole also served as the site physician for the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships, the Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, and the Kansas vs Missouri Football All-Star Game. He also enjoyed providing orthopedic coverage for various high school events in the area.

Dr. Cole has numerous publications in orthopedics, sports medicine, and patient safety. He enjoys teaching orthopedics and sports medicine to the community and other health care providers. Outside of work, Dr. Cole enjoys various adventures with his wife and two daughters. He is an avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast, particularly for those teams he has been a part of. His Christian faith is the top priority in his family’s life. ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​Although Dr. Cole has extensive expertise in management and surgical intervention for the athlete, he enjoys taking care of all ages- from youth sports to the weekend warrior. Dr. Cole manages bony, ligamentous, muscular, and tendon pathologies, and performs arthroscopic and open procedures of the knee, shoulder, elbow, hip, foot, and ankle. He has specialty training in the most up to date techniques of hip arthroscopy, including management of labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement, and gluteal tears. Furthermore, he has unique training in other areas including various cartilage restoration techniques, core muscle injuries (sports hernia), orthobiologics, and more. Dr. Cole also performs knee, hip and shoulder arthroplasty, as well as fracture care in the adult and pediatric populations. Thank you for your consideration of Dr. Cole’s practice. If he is granted the opportunity to care for your patient or athlete, he can ensure sincerity and dedication as he genuinely treats all as he would his own family member. If any questions arise regarding patient care, management, work up, or referral needs please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Cole’s office at the number below. Phone: 501-329-1510 ​​​​​​​​​​​Fax: 501-327-2495

Specific Diagnoses Managed & Surgeries Performed:  [Hip]

• Hip Arthroscopy
• Labral tears
• Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
• Gluteal tears
• Hamstring tears
• Core Muscle Injury (Sports Hernia)
• Hip Arthroplasty

[Knee]

• Meniscus surgery and transplantation
• ACL and multi-ligament knee surgery
• Patellar instability
• Cartilage restoration (autograft, biologics, allograft, MACI)
• Osteotomies
• Fractures
• Total and Partial Knee Arthroplasty

[Shoulder]

• Shoulder instability (including arthroscopic and open)
• Labral tears
• Rotator Cuff
• Throwing Athletes
• Fractures
• Anatomic and Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

[Elbow]

• Ulnar collateral ligament (Tommy John’s)
• Arthroscopy
• Tendonopathies
• Cartilage restoration
• Fractures

[Foot and Ankle] -Ankle fractures -Ankle arthroscopy -Achilles tendon pathology -Peroneal tendon pathology -Fractures of the foot

[Pediatric]

• Acute and subacute injuries
• ACL and other knee pathologies
• Cartilage injuries
• Fractures

[Arthroplasty]

• Total Knee Arthroplasty
• Partial Knee Arthroplasty
• Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
• Total Hip Arthroplasty