At three months old Gylly was accidentally trodden on, causing permanent damage to his shoulder. His mum, Tracy, wanted to give him the best chance of a fully functional life, so sought out all the options available.
Reciprocity for Gylly
Total shoulder replacement surgery (TSR) was in its infancy, and it was a tough decision for the family to opt for, but ironically, TSR had been performed on dogs as an experiment for human patients in the 1940s, and yet wasn’t available for dogs that actually needed it until Professor Noel Fitzpatrick performed the first clinical case some years before Gylly.
The surgery
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick replaced the entire deformed shoulder joint with a custom-made implant system created from a CT scan. The construct comprised a large ball anchored on a stem in the humerus, a metal shell anchored to the shoulder blade (scapula) using plates, and a plastic cup liner.
A graphic sequence of Gylly’s total shoulder replacement surgery
The outcome
Gylly was the first recipient of a new generation of bone-ongrowth shoulder replacement system and has thrived with it, setting the way for more dogs to have this option in the future.
Gylly is a bouncy happy dog, very loving and kind. I was very fortunate that he had access to such a unique treatment. I wouldn’t have the dog I do now if total shoulder replacement wasn’t possible. I’m so lucky to have him. He’s a massive part of my life and the lives of everyone around him
Tracy
