Patellar luxation — where the kneecap slips out of its groove — is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions in dogs. Welfare depends on accurate grading, pain management, and timely surgical intervention when indicated.
Patellar luxation welfare impact ranges from mild intermittent discomfort in Grade 1 cases to chronic pain and functional disability in Grade 3–4. Dogs with Grade 1–2 often compensate behaviourally, masking pain — owners may miss signs including intermittent skipping, reluctance to jump, or hind limb bunny-hopping. Pain management with NSAIDs is appropriate for lower grades but does not address the mechanical cause. Surgery (trochleoplasty and/or tibial tuberosity transposition) corrects the anatomy and provides lasting improvement in moderate to severe cases. Post-operative physiotherapy, including hydrotherapy, significantly improves outcomes. Weight management reduces joint stress in affected dogs. Because the condition is heritable, responsible breeding screening is the most important welfare intervention — breed clubs should require OFA or equivalent orthopaedic clearances before breeding.