Frequency and distribution of medial and lateral patellar luxation in dogs: 124 cases (1982-1992).

From the medical records of 124 dogs, patellar luxations were classified as congenital or acquired, medial or lateral, and unilateral or bilateral; were graded 1 to 4; and were subdivided according to size of dog. The 4 breed-size categories were based on guidelines from American Kennel Club standards for adult height and weight. Findings from these records were compared with the results from dogs with other orthopedic problems. A majority of dogs had congenital (91; 82%), as opposed to acquired (17; 15%) patellar luxations. Distribution of dogs with patellar luxations according to breed size included 54 (98%) with medial patellar luxations (MPL) and 1 (2%) with lateral patellar luxation (LPL) in small breeds, 17 (81%) with MPL and 4 (19%) with LPL in medium breeds, 35 (83%) with MPL and 7 (17%) with LPL in large breeds; and 4 (67%) with MPL and 2 (33%) with LPL in giant breeds. Medial patellar luxation was observed in 110 dogs and 14 dogs had LPL. Cases of MPL and LPL in the same stifle or of medial and lateral patellar luxation in contralateral stifles in the same dog were not observed. Surgical correction was performed primarily in dogs with grade-3 and grade-4 patellar luxations. Medial patellar luxations and LPL were detected in all breed categories. Small-breed dogs were admitted almost exclusively with MPL. Lateral patellar luxation was found uncommonly; however, it was observed more often in larger-breed dogs. Prevalence of MPL was greater, when compared with that for LPL, in every size/breed category.