Diagnosis and surgical correction of patellar luxation in eight dogs

Abstract

Eight client-owned dogs with symptoms of patellar luxation were physically examined, evaluated for lameness, and were graded according to severity. Radiographic evaluation of the affected stifle joint was done using mediolateral, craniocaudal and skyline projections to evaluate luxation, trochlear sulcus angle, and medial and lateral trochlear inclination angles. Appropriate surgical treatment was planned with various surgical procedures such as trochlear wedge recession, trochlear block recession, trochlear ridge augmentation and retinacular imbrication. Platelet rich plasma was injected into the joint to promote healing in one case, and in another case platelet rich fibrin was used as a biological glue to the resected articular cartilage graft. Based on the findings, it was concluded that early recognition and tailored management reduce chronic lameness and significantly improve functional outcomes in dogs affected with patellar luxation; whereas combination of proper surgical procedures restores patellar alignment in higher grades of luxation.