Is Your Dog Skipping on Walks? Understanding Medial Patella Luxation and Treatment Options

If you’ve been walking your dog through the parks in West Union or down the sidewalks in Adams County and noticed a sudden, strange "skip" in their step, you aren't alone. It’s a common sight: a dog is running along, suddenly holds up a back leg for a few strides, gives it a little shake, and then goes right back to walking like nothing happened.

While it might look like a quirky habit or a minor "hitch" in their giddy-up, that skip is often a clinical sign of a condition called Medial Patella Luxation (MPL). At Adams County Veterinary Services, we see this frequently, especially in our smaller four-legged neighbors, but it can affect dogs of all sizes.

We know how much your pets mean to you, they aren't just animals; they are family members. That’s why we want to be transparent and direct about what that "skip" really means for your dog’s long-term health and why addressing it early is so critical.

What is Medial Patella Luxation (MPL)?

In plain English, a luxating patella is a kneecap that pops out of place.

The "patella" (kneecap) normally sits in a groove at the end of the femur (thigh bone). When your dog walks or runs, the kneecap should slide up and down within that groove, acting as a pulley for the muscles that straighten the leg. In dogs with MPL, the kneecap slips out of its groove toward the inside (medial side) of the leg.

The Signs: More Than Just a "Skip"

The most classic sign we see is skipping lameness. Your dog will be moving normally, then suddenly hop on three legs for a few steps before the kneecap pops back into place.

Other signs include:

• Intermittent limping that seems to resolve itself quickly.
• Pain in the stifle (knee), which might manifest as a reluctance to jump or run.
• An abnormal "bow-legged" stance in the rear legs.

One of the biggest challenges we face in the clinic is that MPL is often bilateral, meaning it affects both knees. When both legs are affected, owners often miss the signs because the dog doesn't have a "good" leg to limp on. Instead, they might just seem a little slower or "stiff" in the back end.

Why "Wait and See" Is a Dangerous Strategy

We are incredibly busy here at the clinic, and we know our clients are busy too. But when it comes to the knees, waiting can lead to serious, long-term illness for your pet.

There are two major reasons why Dr. Dan Meakin recommends addressing patella luxation sooner rather than later:

1. The Arthritis "Silent Killer"

Every time that kneecap pops out of its groove, it wears down the protective cartilage. This bone-on-bone friction causes inflammation and eventually lead to progressive arthritis. Once arthritis sets in, it’s a permanent, painful condition. Surgery is best performed at a younger age, before this irreversible damage begins.

2. The ACL Connection

This is the big one. A dog with a luxating patella is much more predisposed to tearing their cranial cruciate ligament (ACL/CCL). Because the kneecap isn't sitting where it belongs, the entire mechanics of the knee are thrown off, putting enormous stress on the ACL.

An ACL tear is a much more involved and expensive surgery than fixing a luxating patella. By correcting the patella now, we are often saving your dog from a much more traumatic injury down the road. (Please note that if your dog does have a torn ACL, Dr. Dan performs repair using lateral sutures: he does not perform TPLO procedures.)

Understanding the Grades of MPL

When Dr. Dan evaluates your pet, he will assign a "Grade" to the luxation to help determine the best course of action:

• Grade 1: The kneecap can be manually pushed out of the groove but pops back in on its own immediately. These dogs usually don't show many symptoms.
• Grade 2: The kneecap pops out spontaneously and causes that classic "skip." It usually goes back in on its own or with a little shake of the leg.
• Grade 3: The kneecap is out of the groove most of the time. It can be pushed back in manually, but it pops right back out again.
• Grade 4: The kneecap is permanently out of the groove and cannot be pushed back in. These dogs often have significant difficulty walking and may have visible limb deformities.

How Dr. Dan Fixes the "Skip"

Dr. Dan Meakin has over 35 years of experience as a surgeon, and he handles these orthopedic cases with the same care he would give his own pets. For dogs requiring surgery, his goal is to physically realign the knee so the patella stays where it belongs.

His surgical treatment for medial patella luxation typically involves three key steps:

1. Trochlear Sulcoplasty: Dr. Dan deepens the groove (the trochlear sulcus) where the kneecap sits. By making this "trench" deeper, it’s much harder for the kneecap to slide out.
2. Tibial Transposition: He moves the point where the patellar ligament attaches to the shin bone (the tibia). By shifting this bony attachment point slightly to the outside, he realigns the entire mechanism so the patella is pulled into the center of the groove rather than toward the inside.
3. Joint Imbrication (Capsular Overlap): Finally, he tightens the joint capsule on the outside of the knee. Think of this like "taking a tuck" in a pair of pants to make them fit tighter. This extra support helps hold the kneecap in its new, correct position.

Why Choose Adams County Veterinary Services?

We aren't a high-priced specialty center. Dr. Dan is a general practitioner who offers specialty-level experience at general practitioner prices. We know that the cost of veterinary care is a major concern for many families in our area, and we work hard to provide high-quality surgical options that are accessible to our community.

Whether you are in West Union, New Richmond, or the surrounding counties, we want to be your advocate for your pet’s health. Dr. Dan is available to consult on all stifle (knee) problems in our four-legged pets. If your dog is skipping, limping, or just doesn't seem as active as they used to be, don't wait for the "silent killer" of arthritis to take hold.

Our team is devoted, highly trained, and ready to go the extra mile. We are very busy because the demand for Dr. Dan’s expertise is high, but we always make time for the pets of Adams County.

Just Come By So We Can Meet You!

If you're worried about your dog’s gait, give us a call or text us to set up a consultation. Let’s get that "skip" looked at before it becomes a bigger problem.

WE LOVE OUR PATIENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY!

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