A Joint Effort

This video details arthroscopic repair of bilateral fragmented coronoid processes in “Ira” Mani using the Arthrex Synergy HD3 system. Dr. James Cook describes the clinical findings and repair protocol at each step of the way. Viewers can visualize the procedure in crisp and clear detail and will have an opportunity to examine a procedure not routinely performed in general practice. 

I first met Dr. James (Jimi) Cook in the spring of 1995; while he was part of the earlier class, confident, experienced, and  a great person overall, I was an extremely green and neurotic brand-new veterinarian entering  my intern year. Dr. Cook was instrumental to our small assembly of incoming veterinarians, and over  the years he and his wife (Dr. Cristi Cook) have assumed remarkable roles: skilled professors and scientists at University of Missouri, foster  parents of guide-dog puppies, and cofounders of the nonprofit organization Be the Change Volunteers.

So, when I suspected that my beloved rescue Labrador retriever, Ira, had bilateral elbow dysplasia, one of the incredible veterinarians I consulted was Dr. Cook, now an orthopedic specialist. When he generously offered to fly to Boston, my hometown, to scope Ira’s elbows, I leapt at the opportunity. Yes!

My excitement eclipsed the fact that I had no complex arthroscopy equipment at my disposal. No!

Dr. Cook came through again by putting me in touch with the extraordinarily capable team at Arthrex—including Matt Lyons and Tony Gawaldo—that, in an altruistic and generous move, shared the equipment for Ira’s surgery. The accompanying photographs and videos show Ira’s arthroscopy performed where I practice, Natick Animal Clinic, by Dr. Cook, the Arthrex team, and my coworkers at the clinic (who are really like my family).

I hope that you enjoy these photos and video above. When I see Ira run and swim today without a single problem, I thank all of these folks over and over again.