Pet Medial Patella Luxation in Kingston, NH

Learn more about how medial petlla luxation can affect your pets below.

Pet Medial Patella Luxation (MPL)

The patella, or knee cap, is a small bone buried in the tendons of the extensor muscles in the thigh. The patella normally rides in a groove within the femur. Patellar luxation is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs and can be congenital (inherited) or trauma-related. Patellar luxation is a condition in which the patella pops out of its groove, either to the inside or outside of the knee, making it quite unstable. This condition can affect only one limb but often affects both rear legs. MPL can worsen over time from an occasionally popping patella to a chronically luxated kneecap that will no longer return to the patellar groove.

Congenital MPL is diagnosed in 7% of puppies and is often diagnosed in small breed dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Papillon, and Miniature Poodles, but is also seen in large breed dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers and Great Pyrenees.

Diagnosis

MPL is diagnosed through a thorough physical examination, taking into account the patient’s age, heredity, and history of injury, as well as their overall health. X-rays are taken under general anesthesia to provide accurate diagnostic views of the knee.

Treatment

Some small breed dogs respond well to a period of restricted activity and anti-inflammatory medications. As a general rule, if a dog is still lame following a 2-4 week course of rest and anti-inflammatory medications or improves and again becomes lame, an MPL procedure is indicated. In most medium and large breed dogs, an MPL procedure is eventually necessary to resolve lameness.

Surgical repair of a luxated patella consists of several steps whereby the patellar groove is deepened, and the patella is placed back into position within the groove. Surrounding soft tissues and bone are also altered to secure the patella with the groove.

The four goals of a successful MPL repair are:

  • To relieve pain associated with the condition.
  • To prevent permanent damage to the ligaments and cartilage within the knee.
  • To decrease the amount of osteoarthritis which will inevitably develop in the knee.
  • To relieve and limit stress, put on the opposite limb and other limbs and joints.
Post-Operative Recovery

All MPL patients will need to spend a minimum of 1-2 days in the hospital following the procedure. This is so pain and discomfort can be controlled using injectable and transdermal medications and to restrict and monitor movement by the patient during this most critical period of recovery.

Once home, owners should do everything possible to limit their dog’s activity, as strict rest is required for proper healing. Initially, there should be no running, jumping, or playing, as these can all lead to the reluxation of the patella during the healing process. Although rare, reluxation does occur and often requires further surgery. This is of most concern during the first 8 weeks of recovery or in patients who suffered from a severe grade luxation prior to surgery. Any pins used during surgery may need to be removed in 3-12 months. Rarely a patient will present post-surgically with an “allergic” reaction to the metal from any screws, plates, pins, or wire used in the procedure.

Activity should be increased gradually, with short, slow, leashed walks beginning around the fourth week of recovery. Observation of the patient is absolutely crucial during this period in order to gauge the speed of recovery. Some dogs feel ready to run around and play within the first few weeks; they are not! A full return to normal activity is often allowed within 8-10 weeks, depending on the severity of the patient’s initial injury, age, breed, and overall health.