34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Introduction
The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical presentation, surgical treatment and outcome in dogs and cats treated surgically for traumatic patellar luxation.

Material and methods
Medical records were reviewed for dogs and cats with surgically treated traumatic patellar luxation with no other orthopedic injuries between 2011 and 2021. Short-term and long-term complications and outcomes were assessed using medical records and owner questionnaires.

Results
Eleven dogs and 5 cats were included. Median age was 1.3 years [range 0.3 – 11.9] and median weight was 11.6 kg [range 3.2 – 27]. The sustained trauma was identified in 10 dogs and 3 cats (falls, hunting accidents, races, jump receptions, games, dog attack) and trauma was strongly suspected in 2 cats and 1 dog. Patellar luxation was grade 3 in 12/16 and medial in 13/16. Fifteen patients had joint capsule damage and 5 patients had cartilaginous damage of the trochlear ridge. All patients underwent parapatellar soft tissue reconstruction and 12/16 had nylon fabello-patellar suture. Three patients had short term complications (repair failure, septic arthritis) and 4 patients had long term complications (osteoarthritis). Nine patients had complete lameness resolution at a median time of 30 days [range 7 – 61]. All patients had good functional outcome with no reluxation at a median long-term follow-up of 86 months [range 12 – 127].

Discussion/conclusions
Surgical treatment of traumatic patellar luxation with soft tissue reconstruction with or without fabello-patellar suture allowed good functional long-term outcome without recurrence and had limited complications.