About the patella
In simple terms, the patella can slide with the dog’s movement, and it fits with the trochlear groove of the kneecap as the joint bends and straightens. ,
The patellar dislocation means that the patella is no longer located in the trochlear groove. With the bending and straightening of the dog’s joint, the dislocated patella will form a certain amount of wear, which will cause pain to the dog.
, so the dog will instinctively not use the patellar luxation for leg movement.
The patella is a small bone buried in the extensor tendon of the thigh, located in the groove of the knee joint. The patella is circled in the picture below.
Generally speaking, the problem of patellar dislocation in dogs is divided into internal dislocation and external dislocation.
Some small dogs are congenitally shallow due to genetic reasons, and some dogs are dislocated due to acquired reasons such as running, jumping, standing frequently, etc.
The initial performance is intermittent jumping, lifting Legs point to the ground, severe limp will develop.
Grade of dislocation
Patellar dislocation problem It can be reflected as early as 4 months in dogs,
generally can be divided into four grades:
Grade 1:
The dog does not feel severe pain. The patella occasionally slips out of the trochlear groove temporarily, but it can return to its original position by itself. Occasionally lifts the leg and jumps and walks but recovers quickly.
At this time, it can be corrected and recovered artificially by restricting activities and massage.
Grade 2:
Significant pain in joints, dog jumps more intermittently, touch Pain at the patella or when massaged or not touching the joint.
You can still choose conservative treatment, restrict activities and massage, pay attention to timely review and massage and reset under the guidance of a doctor.
Grade 3:
Persistent pain in the joint and possible arthritis, after manual massage reduction Comes out quickly and barks in pain when massaged.
Grade 4:
The patella is difficult to be massaged into the trochlear groove. With problems such as bowed legs, the dog has significant and persistent pain.
In general, grades 3-4 necessitate surgery, otherwise it will cause discomfort such as repeated pain in the dog and increase the risk of problems such as ligament rupture.
Causes of patellar luxation
genetic problems
As mentioned above, some small dogs have the congenital shallow trochlear ditch, which mostly occurs in ultra-small and teacup bodies. From the perspective of healthy breeding, it is not recommended to breed such dogs.
Although the ultra-small body is very cute, the possibility of bone development deformity is very high. In addition to the patella, there is also the possibility of dysplasia and dislocation of the spine and tibia.
Nutritional problems
Malnutrition and obesity are very likely to cause pressure on the knee joint and cause patellar luxation problems ,
Simply put, it is too thin and not well developed. If it is too fat, the dog’s small legs can’t support the round body.
Exercise problems
Excessive exercise in dogs during their juvenile period is very likely to cause joint problems, which can affect the skeletal muscles. Development is also very unfavorable.
Some behavioral training, such as standing on hind legs, New Year’s greetings, jumping, etc., should be avoided as much as possible, useless and harmful.
Treatment plan
It can be roughly divided according to the different grades of the dog’s patella problem Both conservative treatment and surgical treatment must be established under the premise of restricting activities and collaborating with rehabilitation.
Conservative treatment
Conservative treatment is available for dogs with patellar luxation grades 1-2 ,
In addition to learning some massage and reset methods for joints under the guidance of doctors,
can also be combined with dietary supplements, Physical recovery such as external fixation and avoiding obesity are also very important.
The necessary vitamin C and E supplementation in dietary supplements is very important, which can help the recovery of inflammation, as well as the supplementation of chondroitin, essential fatty acids omega3 (translator: fish oil), and glycosaminoglycans,
The owner who feeds fresh food can feed the dog more deep-sea fish, colored vegetables and fruits.
It is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which can relieve pain and arthritis to a certain extent. It has good palatability and relatively high price.
It is also possible to purchase or make external fixation aids for dogs according to the doctor’s order, while restricting activities. It can be in the form of splints or bandages. Some hospitals also have supporting external fixation aids that can be selected as a complete set.
Surgical treatment
Patellar dislocation surgery is an It is relatively simple to say, do more consultation! Choosing the right doctor and hospital is very important.
The cost of surgery for patellar dislocation ranges from 5000-10000. In addition to surgery, it also includes some necessary examinations, X-rays or CTs during re-examination, and hydrotherapy costs for follow-up rehabilitation.
Before choosing surgery, make sure you are a responsible owner.
At present, patellar dislocation surgery mainly includes trochlear ditch reconstruction, steel pin/screw fixation treatment, etc. according to different dogs’ conditions.
Be sure to communicate with the doctor before the operation. match and understand the risks of anesthesia.
Patellar surgery is based on grade 4 dislocation. According to the data in 2016, the success rate is generally 93%.
With certain risks:
1. Risk of complications from anesthesia
2. Displacement of pins/screw for surgical fixation
3. Arthritis complications
4. Infections in dog surgery
Therefore, everyone You also need to be fully psychologically prepared. Post-operative reconstruction and maintenance are also a process of time and effort. You must work hard with your brave puppy who has undergone surgery.
Suggestions for postoperative recovery
1. Eat adequate nutrition , with supplementation of vitamins and trace elements, and improve the dog’s diet as directed by the doctor.
2. Limit activities, and try to let the dog rest in a quiet small space after surgery.
3. Rehabilitation methods such as hydrotherapy should be carried out according to the review situation.
4. Try to take anti-skid measures for the floor and floor tiles at home.
