What Are the Treatments for Subluxation of the Patella in a Chihuahua?

A luxating patella, or subluxation of the patella, is more common in small breeds, like the Chihuahua, than in large dog breeds. Patella is another term for kneecap and when damage occurs, it can result in unnatural movement, or subluxation of the patella. This can be extremely painful for the Chihuahua and require various treatments to reduce pain and make life more comfortable for the dog. The type of surgical correction chosen is entirely dependent upon the individual circumstances of the Chihuahua's knee joint.

  1. Subluxation of the Patella

    • Subluxation of the patella occurs in the Chihuahua usually due to trauma or malformation of the patellar grove. The groove is too shallow, which results in the luxating of the patella. Luxate means the knee cap is jumping sideways out of the groove, usually toward the inside of the knee. This movement causes the Chihuahua to pull up the affected leg for several minutes, or occasionally days, until the patella has moved back into proper placement and the joint becomes usable again.

    Trochlear Modification

    • Another surgical option is known as trochlear modification. In this surgery, the groove in which the knee cap sits normally is deepened. By deepening the groove, the knee cap is better able to stay in place, which reduces the chances of luxation reoccurring. Recovery time with this type of surgery and other types of luxating patella correction surgeries ranges from 30 to 60 days.

    Lateral Imbrication

    • In this surgery, the knee cap is literally tied down on the outside of the knee joint. This prevents the kneecap from deviating or jumping outward toward the inside of the knee joint, thus correcting the issue. In some instances, additional adjustments must also be made during this surgery, such as removing and repositioning the quadriceps tendon, located on the tibia.

    Tibial Crest Transporation

    • Another surgery that can benefit a luxating patella in the Chihuahua is known as the tibial crest transposition. In this surgery, which may be done in a combination with other surgeries in the area, specific bones on the tibia are removed. These bones, which are located at the site of the quadriceps tendon attachment, are then reattached in another area. This change helps correct the movement of the knee cap.