Canine Patellar Luxation Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Patellar luxation is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, characterized by displacement of the patella from the femoral trochlear groove. This condition represents a significant category of musculoskeletal disease on the NAVLE and is frequently encountered in clinical practice.

Patellar luxation can be medial (toward midline), lateral (away from midline), or bidirectional. Medial patellar luxation is approximately 12 times more common in small breed dogs compared to large breeds, while lateral luxation is more commonly seen in large and giant breeds.

Epidemiology and Breed Predisposition

Demographics

Sex predisposition: Females are 1.5 times more likely to be affected than males across all breeds.