Dog Luxating Patella: Assessment and Surgery

Patellar luxation causes chronic knee pain in small breeds and ranges from asymptomatic to severely debilitating requiring surgical correction.

Key Facts

Patellar luxation is the most common orthopedic condition in dogs with small breeds heavily overrepresented
Grading from 1-4 guides treatment decisions with Grade 3-4 typically requiring surgical correction
Clinical signs include skipping gait, sudden lameness, and crying when the patella luxates
Medial luxation is most common in small breeds; lateral luxation in large breeds has different causes
Tibial plateau leveling, trochlear recession, and tibial tuberosity transposition correct the underlying anatomy
Surgical correction provides excellent outcomes with most dogs recovering near-normal function
Bilateral disease is common and both legs may need surgery either simultaneously or staged

Welfare Considerations

Patellar luxation causes intermittent to chronic knee pain depending on grade. Each luxation event causes acute pain as the patella slips from its groove. Higher grade luxations where the patella rarely returns to normal position cause chronic arthritic pain. Small breed owners often normalize the skipping gait as 'just what they do' delaying diagnosis. Surgical correction when indicated provides significant pain relief and improves long-term joint health by preventing progressive arthritis.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary evaluation for small breed dogs with intermittent skipping or sudden lameness
Request orthopedic assessment of patellar position in small breed puppy wellness examinations
Pursue surgical consultation for Grade 3-4 luxation before arthritis becomes established
Maintain healthy weight in dogs with patellar luxation to reduce mechanical loading on affected knees
Follow post-surgical rehabilitation protocols to maximize functional recovery
Monitor the opposite leg in unilateral cases as bilateral disease is common and may become symptomatic