Patellar luxation as a complication of surgical intervention for the management of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. A retrospective study of 32 cases

Abstract

This retrospective study identified 32 cases of patellar luxation which occurred as a complication of surgical intervention for cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). The complication was recorded mostly in larger (>/=20 kg) dogs with the Labrador Retriever being the most common breed. The complication followed extra-capsular, intra-capsular and tibial plateau levelling surgery. The mean time from CCLR surgery to the diagnosis of patellar luxation was 14 weeks. The incidence of patellar luxation occurring as a complication of surgical intervention for CCLR was 0.18% of all CCLR corrective procedures. Corrective surgery for patellar luxation was successful in 79% of stifles. The patellar reluxation rate was significantly lower (p = 0.0007) when at least one corrective osteotomy (tibial tuberosity transposition, femoral trochlear sulcoplasty or tibial plateau levelling osteotomy with tibial axial re-alignment) was performed (35%), compared to when corrective osteotomy was not performed (100% patellar reluxation rate). When performing corrective surgery for patellar luxation following CCLR surgery, at least one corrective osteotomy should be performed in order to reduce the patellar reluxation rate. The correction of patellar luxation following surgery for CCLR is challenging and carries a significant rate of failure.