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Boullenger et al: Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology 1, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Patients: 16 (11 dogs, 5 cats); 6.1% of canine and 23.8% of feline PL cases were traumatic.
  • Most common luxation direction: Medial (81.3%).
  • Surgery: All had capsular imbrication; 75% had fabello-patellar suture (FPS).
  • Short-term results (13/16 cases):
    • 77% had no lameness by 2 months.
    • 85% had no PL recurrence.
    • 3 severe complications: capsulorrhaphy tear, FPS fabellar tear, septic arthritis.
  • Long-term results (13/16 cases):
    • 85% lameness-free.
    • 77% full function; 23% acceptable.
    • 0 reluxations reported by owners.
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022

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← Articles

Boullenger et al: Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology 1, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Patients: 16 (11 dogs, 5 cats); 6.1% of canine and 23.8% of feline PL cases were traumatic.
  • Most common luxation direction: Medial (81.3%).
  • Surgery: All had capsular imbrication; 75% had fabello-patellar suture (FPS).
  • Short-term results (13/16 cases):
    • 77% had no lameness by 2 months.
    • 85% had no PL recurrence.
    • 3 severe complications: capsulorrhaphy tear, FPS fabellar tear, septic arthritis.
  • Long-term results (13/16 cases):
    • 85% lameness-free.
    • 77% full function; 23% acceptable.
    • 0 reluxations reported by owners.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Boullenger 2025 et al., on traumatic patellar luxation, what surgical technique was performed in all cases?

A. Trochlear block recession
B. Tibial tuberosity transposition
C. Capsular imbrication
D. Medial retinacular release
E. Distal femoral osteotomy

Answer: Capsular imbrication

Explanation: All 16 cases received capsular imbrication regardless of severity or direction.
In Boullenger 2025 et al., on traumatic patellar luxation, what was the total proportion of cases experiencing severe complications?

A. 7.1%
B. 14.3%
C. 21.4%
D. 28.6%
E. 35.7%

Answer: 21.4%

Explanation: Three of 14 animals (21.4%) had severe complications including FPS or capsular suture failure.
In Boullenger 2025 et al., on traumatic patellar luxation, what was the most common grade of luxation reported at presentation?

A. Grade 1
B. Grade 2
C. Grade 3
D. Grade 4
E. Bidirectional

Answer: Grade 3

Explanation: Grade 3 PL was most common, consistent across both dogs and cats.
In Boullenger 2025 et al., on traumatic patellar luxation, what percentage of cases experienced complete resolution of lameness by 2 months postoperatively?

A. 54%
B. 62%
C. 77%
D. 84%
E. 91%

Answer: 77%

Explanation: Ten of 13 animals had full lameness resolution by 2-month follow-up (76.9%).
In Boullenger 2025 et al., on traumatic patellar luxation, what was a proposed strategy to improve FPS outcomes in large or active dogs?

A. Avoid use of FPS entirely
B. Use femoral condyle bone tunnel instead of fabella
C. Use absorbable suture
D. Perform only in grade 4 PL
E. Delay surgery for 8 weeks

Answer: Use femoral condyle bone tunnel instead of fabella

Explanation: The study suggests alternative isometric anchoring techniques (e.g. femoral condyle bone tunnel) may reduce FPS failure.

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Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022