Patellar luxation is a common orthopedic condition in small breed dogs, causing chronic pain and mobility problems that significantly affect quality of life.
Dogs with higher-grade patellar luxation experience chronic intermittent or constant pain as the patella slips out of its groove, causing abnormal joint mechanics and cartilage wear. The characteristic 'skip-hop' gait seen in affected dogs represents a behavioral response to pain. Untreated luxation leads to progressive osteoarthritis and worsening pain over time. Surgical correction substantially improves quality of life, with most dogs showing significant pain reduction and improved mobility. The recovery process requires strict activity restriction for several weeks, which itself can cause behavioral frustration. Preventive breeding practices avoiding affected animals from breeding could reduce the prevalence of this common heritable condition.