Patellar luxation and articular lesions in dogs: a retrospective: study research article

• Main Authors: J.S. Lara, E.G. L.Alves, H.P. Oliveira, J.A.C. Varón, C.M.F. Rezende
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
• Series: Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
• Subjects: dog; luxation; patella; lesions; joint
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-09352018000100093&lng=en&tlng=en

ABSTRACT This study describes lesions that occur in the stifle joints of dogs with patellar luxation. These lesions are associated with the animal’s age, body weight, and degree of luxation. The rate of redislocation was also evaluated. The patellar lesions found include articular cartilage erosion, subchondral bone exposure, a flattened or concave patellar surface, and enthesophytes. Extra-patellar lesions included synovitis, osteophytes, blunting of the trochlear groove, an absent trochlea, erosion of the condylar margins, capsule thickening, a long digital extensor tendon injury, cranial cruciate ligament rupture, and meniscal prolapse. Such lesions were frequently found in animals with Grade II or III luxation who were aged 24 months or more, and they were more severe in dogs weighing more than 15 kg. Patellar luxation causes changes that favor articular degeneration and should be treated surgically. Conservative treatment relieves pain, but does not address tissue alterations.