Luxating Patella in Cats
What is a luxating patella?
The knee joint connects the femur, (thighbone), and the tibia, (shinbone). The patella, (kneecap), is normally located in a groove called the trochlear groove, found at the end of the femur. The term luxating means out of place or dislocated. Therefore, a luxating patella is a kneecap that 'pops out' or moves out of its normal location.
What causes a patellar luxation?
The kneecap sits underneath a ligament called the patellar ligament. This ligament attaches the large thigh muscles to a point on the center front of the shinbone. When the thigh muscles contract, the force is transmitted through the patellar ligament, pulling on the shinbone. This results in extension or straightening of the knee. The patella slides up and down in its groove (trochlear groove) and helps keep the patellar ligament in place during this movement.
The patella will luxate or slip out of the groove during extension of the leg if the trochlear groove is too shallow, if the cat is bow-legged or cow-hocked (i.e., the leg bones are excessively curved), or if the point of attachment on the tibia is off-center. Most of the time in cats, the patella luxates because the trochlear groove is too shallow, and the direction of luxation is towards the inside of the leg, which is called medial luxation.
Although any breed of cat can be afflicted with a patellar luxation, there may be a genetic predisposition to this problem in Devon Rex and Abyssinian cats. In some cases, patellar luxation may occur because of trauma to the bones or muscles of the hind leg.
"There are 4 grades of patellar luxation, and a higher grade means that the condition is more severe."
There are 4 grades of patellar luxation, and a higher grade means that the condition is more severe. Grade I patellar luxation means that the patella can be luxated out of the groove by putting pressure on it but as soon as the pressure is released, the patella goes back in place. Grade II patellar luxation means that the patella will intermittently pop out on its own and will remain out until the leg is hyperextended and rotated so that the patella returns to the groove. With a Grade III patellar luxation, the patella is out of the groove the majority of the time but it can be manually pushed back into the groove. With a Grade IV patellar luxation, the patella is permanently out of the groove and cannot be manually repositioned. In some affected cats, both kneecaps may luxate to a different degree.
What are the signs of patellar luxation?
The signs of patellar luxation include intermittent (on and off) lameness, an unusual 'skipping' on the affected leg when the cat walks or runs, or difficulty in jumping. With a medial luxation, the lower part of the leg will usually be held out to the side as long as the kneecap is out of place. When it returns to its normal position, the cat will be able to resume normal walking. Many cats that have this condition learn how to kick the leg to the side, which causes the knee to hyperextend and snaps the patella back into place. Over time, the soft tissues around the joint become damaged and/or stretched and it becomes easier for the kneecap to pop out of place.
How is a patellar luxation diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will diagnose a luxating patella by feeling the displaced kneecap during palpation of the leg. In some cases, particularly with young cats that have been born with this problem, the luxating patella will be detected during a routine physical examination of your cat. In other cases, a medical history of intermittent lameness may be suggestive of this problem and your veterinarian will confirm that the lameness is caused by a patellar luxation during examination of the affected leg. X-rays are usually performed to determine the extent of the problem and to detect whether there are any other changes or abnormalities in the joint, particularly if the luxation is caused by trauma.
Does a luxating patella cause any long-term problems for my cat?
This depends upon the grade of the luxation and whether both legs are affected to the same degree. The higher the grade, the more likely the cat will develop long term problems. Some cats, especially with Grade I patellar luxation, can tolerate this condition for many years, even for their entire life. However, as the cat ages, arthritis develops and results not only in decreased mobility, but joint pain as well. Once arthritis develops, it cannot be reversed. In addition, patellar luxation predisposes the knee to other injuries, especially torn cruciate ligaments.
Can a luxating patella be corrected?
A luxating patella can be corrected surgically, especially if the patella luxates frequently. With mild Grade I luxation, surgery may not be necessary. For most cats with patellar luxation, surgery is recommended sooner rather than later to minimize the likelihood that arthritis will develop. The higher the grade of luxation, the sooner the surgery should be performed.
There are several different surgical techniques that are used to repair a luxating patella. They may involve deepening of the trochlear groove so that the patella stays in place and tightening of the joint capsule and soft tissues that surround the joint to provide additional stability. If the point of attachment of the patellar ligament on the tibia is displaced, this will also be corrected. Post-operatively, the recovery period is usually very rapid, especially with appropriate pain management.
What is the prognosis?
If your veterinarian performs surgery before arthritis or other knee injury occurs, the prognosis is excellent. Your cat should regain full use of its leg. However, if arthritis has already developed in the knee joint, your cat may experience intermittent pain in the leg and the arthritis may progress. Prescription anti-inflammatories, joint supplements, or special therapeutic joint diets may slow the progression of arthritis and help control any discomfort. Weight reduction is also recommended for cats that are overweight. Your veterinarian can help you determine the best post-operative plan for your cat.
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