Introduction

Medial patellar luxation (MPL) is a common orthopedic disease in dogs. The surgical or conservative treatments and follow-up results of surgical treatment of MPL in dogs are well documented. The surgical techniques that are most commonly recommended to correct MPL are various combinations of lateral retinacular imbrication, medial retinacular release, femoral trochleoplasty, or lateral transposition of tibial tuberosity.

Objectives

To compare outcomes of dogs surgically treated for grade 2 or 3 MPL with and without trochleoplasty.

Methods

Data including signalment, history, recurrences of patellar luxation, preoperative grade, and postoperative complications were obtained from medical records. Radiographs were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively up to 12 weeks. Results of radiographic evaluation were expressed numerically as degenerative joint disease score and were compared between the groups with and without trochleoplasty.

Results

The study included 10.3 percent of reluxation and 1 case of tibial tuberosity transposition implant failure. Reluxation and complications requiring additional surgery were confirmed in 3 cases (3/47, 6.4%) in trochleoplasty group and in 1 case (1/21, 4.8%) in non-trochleoplasty group. The non-trochleoplasty group showed a shorter recovery time than the trochleoplasty group (p < 0·05). There was a significant difference in degenerative joint disease scores over time between the groups, with the non-trochleoplasty group having lower scores (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study suggests that surgical treatment without trochleoplasty results in favorable outcomes compared to treatment with trochleoplasty. Thus, we propose that surgical treatment without trochleoplasty is one option when choosing a combination of surgical techniques.