Patellar luxation in dogs. Part I: Understanding the Condition*

Patellar luxation in dogs

 Luxation of the patella from the femoral trochlear groove is a common cause of hind limb lameness in dogs. In the context of patellar luxation it is useful to consider the patella as one component of the quadriceps mechanism. Failure to address abnormal alignment of the quadriceps mechanism has been suggested to be an important cause of failure of surgery to address patellar luxation. Patellar luxation causes lameness as a result of pain while the patella is luxated (or when it moves from a position of reduction to one of luxation), compromised quadriceps function and secondary retropatellar cartilage abrasion and osteoarthritis. Historytaking and diagnostic procedures appropriate to patellar luxation investigation are discussed in this article, the first of a series on patellar luxation.