Companion Animals

Dog Patellar Luxation: Surgical Management and Quality of Life

Patellar luxation causes pain and lameness in small breeds and is highly treatable surgically with excellent welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Patellar luxation affects up to 7% of small breed dogs including Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas
Grade 3-4 luxation causes persistent pain and significant lameness requiring surgical correction
Trochleoplasty and tibial crest transposition surgery achieves normal function in 90% of cases
Early surgical intervention before severe arthritis develops provides better long-term welfare outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Patellar luxation causes chronic pain from abnormal joint mechanics and secondary arthritis. Owners who assume intermittent lameness is minor often delay surgical intervention until arthritis has advanced. Early grade 3-4 surgical correction provides the best long-term welfare outcome.

What You Can Do

Have dogs showing intermittent lameness or unusual gait assessed for patellar luxation
Request grading of patellar luxation and discuss surgical timing with an orthopaedic specialist
Breed only dogs with no patellar luxation to reduce inherited prevalence