Medial Patella Luxation Surgery
for Dogs in Melbourne
Medial patella luxation (MPL), commonly called a luxating patella or slipping kneecap, is a common orthopaedic condition in dogs where the kneecap moves out of its normal position.
Tooronga Veterinary Hospital provides medial patella luxation surgery for dogs at our veterinary hospital in Hawthorn East, Melbourne.
Surgery aims to restore normal alignment and stability of the kneecap, helping improve your dog's comfort, mobility and long-term joint function.
Medial Patella Luxation Surgery Cost
Medial patella luxation surgery at Tooronga Veterinary Hospital costs $5,000 per leg.
The price includes surgery, general anaesthesia and anaesthetic monitoring, surgical implants where required, pain relief, anti-inflammatories and an overnight hospital stay for post-operative care and pain management.
Initial radiographs and follow-up radiographs are not included and are charged separately.
What is Medial Patella Luxation?
The patella, or kneecap, normally sits within a groove at the end of the femur and moves smoothly up and down as the knee bends and straightens.
With medial patella luxation, the kneecap slips towards the inside of the knee. In some dogs this happens only occasionally, while in more severe cases the kneecap may spend most or all of the time outside its normal position.
The condition can affect one or both knees and varies considerably in severity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of a luxating patella?
1
One of the classic signs of a luxating patella is an intermittent skipping or hopping gait. A dog may suddenly carry one hind leg for a few steps before returning to normal.
Other signs can include:
Intermittent or persistent hind-leg lameness
Skipping or hopping while walking or running
Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs
Hind-leg stiffness
Pain or reluctance to exercise
Some dogs with mild patella luxation show very few symptoms, while more significantly affected dogs may experience ongoing discomfort and reduced mobility.
My dog's patella luxates, but they aren't lame or bothered by it. Do they still need surgery?
2
Possibly. The absence of obvious pain or lameness does not necessarily mean that a luxating patella is harmless.
Over time, repeated luxation can contribute to cartilage wear, inflammation and the development of arthritis. For this reason, one of the goals of surgery can be to intervene before significant cartilage damage and arthritis develop, rather than waiting until a dog becomes persistently painful or lame.
Dogs with a mild Grade 1 luxation and no clinical signs will often be monitored without surgery. However, if your dog has a Grade 2 or Grade 3 luxating patella, surgery may still be in their best interests even if they currently appear comfortable – particularly if the patella is luxating frequently.
There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation. We consider the grade and frequency of luxation, your dog's age, breed, size, anatomy and any evidence of joint changes when deciding whether early surgery or monitoring is the better option.
What does medial patella luxation surgery Involve?
3
There is no single operation used for every luxating patella. Surgery is individually planned according to your dog's anatomy and the severity of their condition.
Depending on your dog, surgery may involve deepening the groove in which the kneecap sits, repositioning the attachment of the patellar tendon and adjusting the surrounding soft tissues.
More complex abnormalities of the bones may occasionally require additional corrective procedures.
What if both knees are affected?
4
Medial patella luxation commonly affects both knees.
At Tooronga Veterinary Hospital, we do not recommend operating on both knees at the same time.
If both knees require surgery, we generally recommend treating them approximately six weeks apart. We believe this is a kinder approach to recovery, allowing your dog to have a stronger, non-operated leg to rely on while the first knee heals.
Once your dog has recovered sufficiently from their first operation, we can proceed with surgery on the second knee if required.
Overnight Care and Pain Relief
Your dog will stay with us overnight following their surgery.
This allows our veterinary and nursing team to provide ongoing pain relief, monitor your dog's recovery from anaesthesia and adjust their medications if required. Most importantly, it allows us to make sure your dog is comfortable before they go home the following day.
Recovery after patella surgery
Recovery is gradual and activity needs to be carefully restricted while the knee heals.
Exercise is gradually increased as your dog recovers, typically over a six-week period, with follow-up examinations and radiographs performed as appropriate to monitor healing and guide their return to normal activity.
Most dogs have a very good outcome following appropriate surgical correction and rehabilitation.
Medial Patella Luxation Surgery in Melbourne
Tooronga Veterinary Hospital provides medial patella luxation and other orthopaedic surgery for dogs from our veterinary hospital in Hawthorn East, Melbourne.
If your dog has been diagnosed with a luxating patella, has been recommended to have patella surgery, or you have noticed a recurring skip or hind-leg lameness, contact our team to arrange an assessment.
Contact us
Tooronga Veterinary Hospital
395 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East VIC 3123
(03) 9000 9828