Objective

To evaluate the use of proximal tube realignment, a procedure for chondromalacia patellae in human patients, in dogs suffering from patellar luxation.

Materials & Methods

Trochlear wedge recession, proximal tube realignment, and proximal tube realignment combined with trochlear wedge recession were performed in 5, 5, and 10 stifles of dogs suffering from grade II patellar luxation, respectively. The combined technique was also performed in 5 stifles suffering from grade III patellar luxation. A realignment tube for correcting line of quadriceps pull in medial patellar luxation was formed by suturing the caudal cut edge of lateral retinaculum at the distal femur to the cranial cut edge of medial retinaculum. On the contrary, the reversed cut edges of the two retinaculi were sutured to form the realignment tube for lateral patellar luxation. Patellar position and walking of the animal were postoperatively examined for 12 weeks.

Results

1(20%), 3(60%), and 9(90%) stifles recovered well from grade II patellar luxation after trochlear wedge recession, proximal tube realignment, and the combined technique, respectively. Good recovery was found in 2(40%) stifles previously suffering from the grade III luxation.

Conclusion

The tube realignment is an effective procedure for the correction of grade II patellar luxation in dogs.