Dr. John W. Cory, MD

Expert Publications

• Unilateral exophthalmos resulting from sclerosis of the sphenoid bone.
• The hallucal sesamoid complex.
• GLAUCOMA SECONDARY TO FIBROCYSTIC DISEASE OF BONE.
• FAMILIAL CORNEAL DYSTROPHY.
• Partial Anterior Dislocation of the Hip.
• Chronic Localized Bronchiectasis at Left Apex.
• Intra-ocular Foreign Body.
• The Intradermal Tuberculin Reaction: With special reference to so-called surgical tuberculosis.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. John W. Cory, who serves patients in Scottsdale, Arizona.

An exceptional orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Cory is the Director of Arizona Institute of Motion in Scottsdale, Arizona. Through his love and dedication to soccer and his passion within the medical field, he believes that his purpose has come full circle as he uses his knowledge and expertise to guide young athletes in not only recovering from an injury, but in the prevention of injury through optimized movement and athleticism.

With a broad educational background, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Physiology from Wake Forest University. While he was at Wake Forest, he was fortunate enough to play two seasons of varsity soccer under the legendary George Kennedy who was the original men’s varsity soccer coach at the university. The academic rigors of the university and a new coaching regime brought an end to John’s collegiate soccer career, but not his lifelong passion for the sport and all sports.

In combining this passion with his studies at Wake Forest, he earned a job as one of two assistant student strength coaches for varsity athletics while he completed his undergraduate degree. This parlayed into a job after graduation creating sports medicine frameworks for three NASCAR teams, including the NASCAR champion Alan Kulwicki in the early 1990’s.

The doctor then returned to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC and completed his medical degree at The Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Immediately after, he completed a general surgery internship at The Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. This was followed by a move to Columbia, South Carolina where he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of South Carolina. 

During this time, he had the opportunity to take care of the local high school football team, several players on the local high school boys and girls soccer teams, the Columbia City Ballet, varsity athletes and teams in the University of South Carolina and South Carolina State Universities, and recruits injured at the Fort Jackson US Army training base in Columbia, South Carolina.

Dr. Cory continued to play club soccer through his residency, and coached within the youth soccer club when he had time away from his resident duties. Following the completion of his residency, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama and completed a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery. He studied sports medicine at the American Sports Medical Institute (ASMI) under Dr. Jimmy Andrews, Dr. William Clancy, Dr. Larry Lemak, and Dr. John Gould, to name a few. He was later invited back to ASMI in 2009 to teach the foot and ankle fellowship with his professional mentor, the late Dr. Angus McBryde during his final academic year in Birmingham.

Having invested in teaching through community effort, he currently holds academic appointments in orthopedic surgery with the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, A.T. Still University, and Rocky Vista University. He also has a faculty appointment in pre-health sciences from Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University.

Among his other roles, Dr. Cory is the founder of AIMagination and Stone Soup charities, and was recently appointed to the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of Kaliber Labs, developing AI in sports medicine interventions. He has also served as the team foot and ankle surgeon for the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Rising, Paradise Valley High School, and was the first Medical Director of the Barça Academy in their inaugural year in the United States. He is also the Director of Medicine and Sports Science for Lacrosse Scotland and Scotland Box Lacrosse. 

Additional organizations and clubs he acts as a consultant for include: The Texas Rangers, The Oakland A’s, The Minnesota Twins, The California Angels, The Chicago Cubs, The Tennessee Titans, The Chicago Bears, The PGA Tour, The LPGA Tour, USA Gymnastics, Arizona Youth Soccer Organization, US ODP Soccer Western Conference, US Rugby, US Soccer, FC Barcelona and Free2Play.

Furthermore, Dr. Cory has functioned as one of the two Phoenix Venue Medical Director for the CONCACAF Gold Cup games in the years 2015, 2017, and 2019 and 2021,  Copa America Centenario 2016 and several international friendlies including USMNT vs Panama 2019 in Glendale.

Recently, the doctor has had the fortune to be an invited guest at the last two iterations of the FIFA Sports Medicine in Football meetings in Barcelona 2018 and Wembley Stadium 2019, and has been invited back to Barcelona for Barcelona Sports Medicine Week 2019. His social, philanthropic, and charity board involvement in Arizona includes Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation, CRC Foundation, Arians Family Foundation, RSL Academy, Barça Academy, and The Phoenix Rising Youth Foundation and Dream City Academy Basketball program.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

When he is not involved in clinical and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Cory enjoys hanging out with his family which includes three grown sons and tgre bulldogs (one English and  two French). He loves anything to do with salt water, and volunteering around youth education, sports (particularly soccer), as well as themes in wellness, dance and movement.

Recommended Articles

• Signs You Need to See a Doctor for Back Pain

  There are a number of potential causes of back pain, but most of them are rare. Most cases of back pain, particularly those that go away with or without over-the-counter treatment, do not require a visit to the doctor. However, if your back pain is accompanied by any of the following signs and...

• Pain Between the Shoulder Blades

  IntroductionPain between the shoulder blades is also known as interscapular pain. It is a symptom that is often caused by minor issues, such as a muscle strain. However, being aware of such symptom is also very important since it may also be a sign of more serious conditions, such as lung cancer...

• When to Be Concerned About Sternum Pain

  IntroductionThe sternum, also called as the breastbone, is a flat bone situated at the center of the chest. It connects to the ribs through cartilages and forms the front of the rib cage, which helps protect the lungs, heart, and major blood vessels from injuries. Since the sternum is near to the...

• What Is Blount’s Disease: Symptoms and Treatment

  Blount's DiseaseBlount's disease is a growth disorder that causes the lower leg bones to bow outward. Although this disorder can affect people any time during growth stages, it is more commonly seen in adolescents and children who are younger than 4 years old.It is important to note that Blount’s...

• What are metatarsal bones?

  The five long bones of the metatarsus of the foot are known as the metatarsals. Just as metacarpals of the hand are made of different components, similarly, metatarsals are made of different components such as a proximal base, shaft, and distal head. Arches of the foot are formed by the metatarsal...

• The Function of Joints

  Skeletal systemOur musculoskeletal system is made of muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones, and bursae. When impulse stimulates, the muscles contract and these muscles are attached to the ligaments. Most of the skeletal system is made of bones and cartilage. The cartilage or ligaments are...