Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Complications after surgery for kneecap dislocation in small dogs
By Rossanese, Matteo et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2019·Small Animal Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Complications Following Surgical Correction of Medial Patellar Luxation in Small-to-Medium-Size Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A small dog weighing less than 20 kg underwent surgery to fix a knee problem called medial patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of place. Unfortunately, about 37 out of 100 dogs experienced complications after the surgery, including issues related to the surgical implants and the kneecap slipping again. The study found that keeping a specific part of the bone intact during surgery helped reduce complications, while adding a certain procedure increased the risk of the kneecap slipping out again. It's important for pet owners to discuss these risks with their veterinarian if their dog needs this type of surgery.
People also search for: dog knee surgery complications · medial patellar luxation treatment · small dog knee problems
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:  The main aim of this study was to describe complications in dogs weighing < 20 kg treated for medial patellar luxation and to determine risk factors associated with these complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Medical records were reviewed and cases were grouped based on four techniques of stabilization for the tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT). Variables including animal signalment, clinical presentation, TTT technique, other concurrent surgical techniques and associated complications were investigated. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association of the same variables with specific complications such as tibial tuberosity fractures or avulsions, patellar reluxation and implant-related complications. RESULTS:  Of the 100 procedures performed, 37 suffered a complication. There were no significant differences in the overall complication rate between TTT stabilization techniques. Preservation of the tibial tuberosity distal cortical attachment was associated with a reduced risk of implant-related complications, whereas adding a medial release to the surgical techniques was associated with an increased risk of medial patellar reluxation. The type of trochleoplasty performed did not affect the complication rate. CONCLUSIONS:  In the current study, a high rate of complications was found in dogs < 20 kg undergoing medial patellar luxation surgery. Performing a medial release and preserving the distal cortical attachment of the tibial tuberosity were the only variables associated respectively with an increase and a reduction in the risk of postsurgical complications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30921826/