What Is Patella Luxation?

Simply put patella luxation is a dislocated kneecap. It prevents your English Bulldog from walking properly and straightening his leg. Depending on which type he has it may or may not be painful.

The kneecap is held in place by ligaments and a groove in the bone. If the groove isn't deep enough the kneecap can slide out towards the inside. Because the ligaments and tendons are then out of line it means that the dog will most likely limp and the leg will be held at a sideways angle.

What Causes It?

There is not really a simple answer to this.

One suggestion is that it's a genetically inherited condition. Some unscrupulous breeders continue to breed from dogs with this condition, this passes it on to subsequent generations. This is the most frequent cause.

Another cause is obesity. Being overweight is not good for humans and it's equally bad for dogs. Too much weight to carry around puts a strain on knees and given the genetic pre-dispostion your bulldog is at risk of the kneecap popping out of place.

A third, less usual cause is an injury from a blow. Generally speaking though, it's much more likely to be caused by one of the previous two issues.

If your dog is limping on one of his back legs and you suspect that your pet has this problem then you should take them to see the vet.

The vet will feel the knee joint to see if the kneecap is loose and has movement that shouldn't be there. Sometimes the joint can be loose but doesn't actually slip out of place, so it's best to get advice from a qualified professional to be absolutely sure.

How Serious Is Patella Luxation?

There are different degrees of dislocation, known as grades. Generally veterinary professionals classify this condition into four grades, each one more serious than the one before.

• In Grade One the kneecap can be moved so that it dislocates but it goes back to its proper position.
• In Grade Two the kneecap can be moved, as in Grade One, or it will pop out on its own when the knee joint is moved. It can be replaced by manipulation, in a similar way to a human visiting an osteopath or chiropractor.
• In Grade Three the kneecap is out of position for most of the time but can be manipulated back into place.
• In Grade Four it's permanently out of position and can't be manipulated back into place. It affects the leg muscles as well as the actual kneecap. This grade definitely requires surgery to resolve the problem.

You should also be aware that, if the condition is deemed to be hereditary, surgery may not be covered on your pet insurance, so check this with the insurer when you buy the insurance.

Depending on the severity of the problem the vet may recommend surgery for anything from Grade Two upwards. Because of the complexity involved in Grade Four it may require more than one surgery if there are abnormalities in the bone formations.

You will need to discuss the severity and the options with your own vet because there are so many variables. Each individual dog is different and the combinations of genetics, age and general health will dictate the treatment.

These variables will also have an effect on whether the treatment and/or surgery will be successful.

After Surgery

If it's decided to go ahead with the surgery you'll need to take extra care of your dog afterwards.

The knee will be covered with a support bandage and you'll need to make sure it's kept clean and dry for about a week after the surgery. Keep the dog on the leash when he's outside so that he can't run around, all he needs is a gentle walk.

You may need to put in a ramp to help him get up and down steps without straining the mended joint. It can take around 6 weeks to make a recovery, so it's not a quick fix and you'll need to take care not to undo the good work that's been done.

Conclusion

If your pet suffers from patella luxation then you should ask your vet. If it's left untreated then it could lead to a permanent deformity and/or osteoarthritis. Both of these could reduce the quality of life that your English Bulldog enjoys.