Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and treatment results for patellar luxation in 42 cats
By Loughin, Catherine A et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Long Island Veterinary Specialists, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical signs and results of treatment in cats with patellar luxation: 42 cases (1992-2002).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 42 cats, mostly domestic shorthairs around 3 years old, were diagnosed with patellar luxation, which means their kneecaps were out of place. Many of these cats showed signs of lameness, and the condition was often not linked to any trauma. Treatment options included surgery and non-surgical methods, with both showing good results; 8 out of 17 joints treated without surgery had excellent outcomes, while 23 out of 35 joints treated surgically also did well. However, some cats experienced complications from surgery.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical signs and results of treatment in cats with patellar luxation. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 42 cats in which patellar luxation had been diagnosed on the basis of results of palpation of the stifle joints. PROCEDURES: Degree of luxation was graded on a scale from 1 to 4, and severity of lameness was graded on a scale from 0 to 5. Radiographs of stifle joints were evaluated for signs of osteoarthritis. Long-term function was classified as poor, fair, good, or excellent. RESULTS: 34 cats had bilateral luxation and 8 had unilateral luxation. Only 7 (17%) cats had a history of trauma. Mean age of the cats was 3.3 years, and mean weight was 4.26 kg (9.4 lb); 26 (62%) were domestic shorthairs. Seventy-three of the 76 (95%) affected joints had medial patellar luxation. Luxation grades could be assigned to 65 joints, with grade 2 (30 joints) and 3 (22 joints) luxation being most common. Lameness grades could be assigned to 73 joints, with grade 1 lameness (27 joints) most common. Outcome was excellent for 8 of 17 joints treated without surgery and for 23 of 35 joints treated surgically. Complications attributable to surgery were reported in 8 cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patellar luxation should be considered as a cause of hind limb lameness in cats. Low-grade luxation can be associated with lameness of the same severity as high-grade luxation. Surgical correction of patellar luxation in cats with grade 2 or 3 lameness can result in a favorable outcome.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16649941/