Slipping patellas

What are slipping patellas?

The patella normally moves up and down in a groove in the lower femur bone called the trochlear groove. In patella luxation the groove is often shallow. This shallow groove prevents the patella from seating deeply and predisposes it to dislocation. This results in the luxation of the patella as the leg is used. The quadriceps or extensor muscles of the leg are associated with the patella. In patellar luxation, the extensor muscles are often maligned to the inside or outside of the leg, The degree of patella luxation is graded from I to IV depending on the relative ease with which the patella luxates. Grade I is the mildest and grade IV the most severe. Grade I and II patellar luxations may be completely asymptomatic and may be incidental findings is mature dogs and cats who have never been lame. Grade III and IV MLP patients are usually lame. Severe cases may develop abnormal growth of the long bones of the leg or a nonfunctional knee.

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