Vasilakopoulos A. DVM, Private Practitioner, VetSurgery, Cholargos, Greece | Katsara D. DVM, Private Practitioner, VetSurgery, Cholargos, Greece Parsa A. DVM, Private Practitioner, VetSurgery, Cholargos, Greece | Papasotiriou K. Veterinary medicine student at VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czechia | Tsipianitis E.E. DVM, Private Practitioner, VetSurgery, Cholargos, Greece
Introduction
Patella luxation (PL) is a common orthopedic condition describing kneecap dislocation, either medially or laterally. It’s often showed with a characteristic lameness. There can be 4 degrees and is usually inherited.
Case Reports
Two male, Cane Corso dogs with average age of 6 months and average weight of 35kg, where presented due to sudden unilateral hindlimb lameness. During the orthopedic examination, they were diagnosed with 3rd degree lateral patella luxation. Complete hindlimb X-ray imaging showed that the bone structure was normal without significant angular deformities. Both dogs underwent surgery with the Soft Tissue Reconstructive Technique (S.T.R.T), more specifically, imbrication of the joint capsule and the patellar retinaculum medially, in combination with lateral desmotomy.
Post op
Both dogs were weight bearing on the operated leg in the first 48 hours post op and the limping was restored in the following 2 weeks. Clinical and x-ray re-evaluation was performed monthly, for the next 6 months.
Conclusions
In young, rapidly developing, large breed dogs who experience hindlimb lameness from patella luxation, S.T.R.T can be a treatment with good results which under conditions can be the treatment of choice.
