Storm
Jen brings in Storm, a large 2-year old German Shepherd, for a total elbow replacement with Noel. Storm has suffered his whole life with severe developmental arthritis affecting his right elbow. Jen has been plagued with ill health too, since she had an aneurysm 11 years ago, and her dogs, especially Storm, are hugely important to her. The German Shepherd Helpline is helping to fund Storm’s operation and Brenda from the Helpline comes along to Fitzpatricks with Jen to support her. Together they embark on a difficult surgery using a custom printed implant system and an even more difficult emotional rollercoaster. When over-excited Storm returns to the practice for a check-up during his recovery, havoc ensues in Noel’s waiting room…
Their Story
Storm is the valuable member of Jen and her husband Andrews’s family. Eleven years ago Jen had a cerebral aneurism, which meant she was paralysed and had to have surgery. Jen says that if it wasn’t for her dogs she wouldn’t be so positive and would struggle to get up in the morning. Jen admires Storm for how he handles his pain and takes inspiration from him. With help from The German Shepherd Helpline, the family come to Professor Noel Fitzpatrick to see what can be done to help this happy boy.
The Problem
As a result of a disease called Elbow Dysplasia, a common condition in larger breed dogs, Storm’s elbow is dramatically deformed. Following numerous discussions with Noel and the team, the family have agreed that a Total Elbow Replacement was the best option for Storm. Due to the significant remodelling of his elbow, a commercially available implant isn’t possible and so a team of engineers designed and manufactured a custom implant that would fit Storm exactly and replace his entire joint. It’s a massive surgery, but the family wanted Storm to have the best possible future.
Treatment
Storm’s is one of the largest Total Elbow Replacements Noel has ever done. First, he gets rid of the damaged bone constituting the elbow joint, he then attaches the implant to the humerus in the upper arm and the ulna and radius in the lower arm. Noel packs bone marrow extracted from the discarded elbow around the implants to help encourage bone on-growth to the implant. For extra stability, he injects cement to fill the gaps between the implants on the bone. In just under three hours, Storm has a completely new elbow.
“He has no concept of how bad that leg is, he wants to run all the time, and he can’t. He has no idea what it’s like not to be in pain. Such a happy soul” Jen
Outcome
Storm was able to go home a few days after his surgery to convalesce on restricted exercise. Seven weeks later he came back to see Noel for a recheck to see how he was doing. Storm seemed to be feeling a great deal better but Noel needed to assess the stability of his implant – the news was good – excellent progress was being made.
Six months after his total elbow replacement, he’s got a new lease of life and is able to walk for miles without stopping. The family are delighted to be able to look forward to a long and happy life together.
Storm
Storm
Storm at home
Storm at home
