Patellar luxation is an orthopedic condition in which the patella, or kneecap, “slips” to one side of the knee joint, causing pain and loss of the joint function. Medial patellar luxation, in which the patella slips to the inside surface of the joint, is most often seen in the toy breeds, such as Yorkshire terriers, poodles, and Pomeranians. Lateral patellar luxation, where the kneecap migrates to the outer surface of the knee joint, shows no true breed disposition, with larger dogs sometimes affected. Regardless of the type, patellar luxation can occur secondary to direct trauma to the joint, or can be caused by an abnormal anatomic development of the bones comprising the knee joint.
Signs of this problem can occur as early as 6 months of age in affected dogs. Milder cases often go unnoticed for years until arthritis of the affected knee sets in. Symptoms associated with patellar luxation include intermittent lameness, with the dog often reluctant to put the affected hind leg on the ground. Dogs affected with this problem might seem fine one minute, and then suddenly let out a yelp and come up overtly lame. Many times, the patella will slip back into place by itself and the dog will seem fine again. However, if this condition continues for a long time, arthritis of the knee joint eventually occurs, and the lameness signs will fail to disappear.
An easily displaced patella found on physical examination will confirm a diagnosis of patellar luxation. Radiographs are helpful as well to determine the extent of arthritis involvement, if any at all.
Surgical correction of patellar luxation is the treatment of choice in these pets. This involves altering the anatomy of the tibia (the shin bone that makes up the lower portion of the knee joint) in such a way that the patella is not allowed to slip to either side. The prognosis after surgery is good to excellent for complete remission of signs. In those dogs that have problems with both knee joints, surgical repair of both legs may be necessary.
Signs of this problem can occur as early as 6 months of age in affected dogs. Milder cases often go unnoticed for years until arthritis of the affected knee sets in. Symptoms associated with patellar luxation include intermittent lameness, with the dog often reluctant to put the affected hind leg on the ground. Dogs affected with this problem might seem fine one minute, and then suddenly let out a yelp and come up overtly lame. Many times, the patella will slip back into place by itself and the dog will seem fine again. However, if this condition continues for a long time, arthritis of the knee joint eventually occurs, and the lameness signs will fail to disappear.
An easily displaced patella found on physical examination will confirm a diagnosis of patellar luxation. Radiographs are helpful as well to determine the extent of arthritis involvement, if any at all.
Surgical correction of patellar luxation is the treatment of choice in these pets. This involves altering the anatomy of the tibia (the shin bone that makes up the lower portion of the knee joint) in such a way that the patella is not allowed to slip to either side. The prognosis after surgery is good to excellent for complete remission of signs. In those dogs that have problems with both knee joints, surgical repair of both legs may be necessary.
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