Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022.

Abstract

Objective:  Patellar luxation (PL) is commonly diagnosed in dogs and cats; however, a traumatic cause is poorly reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to report the clinical presentation, surgical treatment, and outcome in dogs and cats surgically treated for traumatic PL.

Study design:  This is a retrospective study. Medical records of dogs and cats operated for traumatic PL were reviewed. Short- and long-term follow-ups were assessed with medical records and telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinarians. Data on signalment, lameness, PL characteristics, surgery, complications, and outcome were recorded.

Results:  Eleven dogs and 5 cats were included. Both species had a median lameness grade of 4/5 and a median PL grade of 3/4. PL was medial in most cases (13/16). Joint capsule lesions were identified in 15 cases, 4 cases had trochlear ridge cartilage damage. All cases had a capsular imbrication, 12 cases had a fabello-patellar suture (FPS). Mean long-term follow-up time was 70.8 ± 42.5 months in 9 dogs and 4 cats. Ten cases out of 13 had no lameness at the 2-month follow-up, and 11/13 cases had no long-term lameness. Eleven cases out of 13 had no PL at the 2-month follow-up. No long-term PL was reported by owners. Complications were mild in 5 cases, moderate in 1, severe in 3. Functional outcome was full in 10 cases and acceptable in 3.

Conclusion:  Soft tissue techniques and FPS were effective in the surgical treatment of traumatic PL in dogs and cats, resulting in acceptable to full long-term function in all cases, with limited severe complications.