Luxating patella; how can it be getting better?

P

Prime12

Forums Novice
I have a young sheltie who is just over a year old. Last month I noticed that he would occasionaly lift one of his hindlegs up after running. I didn't think much of it but when it progressed to limping I took him to a vet, who told me he had luxating patella on both of his hindlegs :(. I also took him to an orthopedic, who diagnosed it as a grade 2.

The orthopedic vet told me that though it was a grade 2 he thought the chances it would later progress to arthritis seemed pretty low. But knowing how my dog loves to run (that's all he does... really.) and since I had some extra $$ that I had been saving up for that new computer I could do without, I scheduled for a surgery in mid December.

Thing is, he's somehow gotten 'better' and I am not sure how. Around the time I took him to the orthopedic, he was limping rather frequently and I had to massage his leg back in every time it happened. Well it became less and less frequent with time and now he can run around crazily all day without limping at all. As a matter of fact I stayed with him at the dog park all day today to see how he would do. Not a single instance of limping.

I thought it was a permanent condition and the only way to cure it was surgery. It's not like I have been giving him any supplements or restricting his activity in any way. He's been running up and down the stairs whenever he pleased. Hmmm........:confused2:

I'm calling his orthopedic tomorrow, but have any of you had similar experience? Is he actually getting 'better'?
 
Yes, they can grow out of them. All a luxating patella is is a kneecap that slides in appropriately. A grade 2 means the dog can pop them back in themselves. It's not a huge deal. Grade 4s need surgically corrected.

As the puppies get bigger, the structure can change enough to keep that kneecap in pace. If they can't feel it now, then it's all good!
 
Last edited:
ClantyreSheltie said:
Yes, they can grow out of them. All a luxating patella is is a kneecap that slides in appropriately. A grade 2 means the dog can pop them back in themselves. It's not a huge deal. Grade 4s need surgically corrected.

As the puppies get bigger, the structure can change enough to keep that kneecap in pace. If they can't feel it now, then it's all good!
Click to expand...

I'm confused. Doesn't luxating patella have something to do with incompletely formed bone 'grooves'? How can a dog grow out of it? Also, by the time the dog is 1 year old, isn't he completely grown?

Please don't get me wrong. If he indeed outgrew it nothing will make me happier. It's just that.. it sounds too good to be true!
 
Likely he had an episode were the patella slipped out and caught and he strain the patellar ligaments and attachment of the quad muscle to the patella. With rest that inflammation went away and thus the decrease in pain.

I have heard of cases were with age and increase in physical condition, the muscle strengthen and help keep the patella in place. Also the growth plates of the tibia doesn't close until about 12-14 monthsin small breed dogs so that small amount of growth could have made the difference.

Your next step would be to recheck with the surgeon and determine what factors have changed.
 
puppy knees

Do hope that puppy is all better. I think that you are terrific to forego a new computer in deference to your dog's needs.

We love our shelties,

Best,
Kate
 
Thank you for all the support! :smile2:

I think I was being too optimistic; his left knee popped out after prolonged running at dog park yesterday. So the condition is definitely still there. It's still a dramatic improvement though.

I'm taking him in for a recheck in about a week. We'll see what happens...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top