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Updated: May 20, 2026
Pseudofracture: An Acute Peripheral Tissue Trauma Model
Published on: April 18, 2011
Fracture of the patella after TPLO in 6 dogs
Scott Rutherford1, Jonathan C Bell, Malcolm G Ness
1Croft Veterinary Hospital, Cramlington, Northumberland, United Kingdom. s.rutherford@croftvets.co.uk
Objective:
To describe the clinical findings of dogs that sustained patellar fractures after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).
Study Design:
Retrospective case series.
Animals:
Dogs with patellar fractures that occurred after TPLO surgery (n = 6).
Methods:
Medical records (November 1, 2008-October 31, 2010) were reviewed to identify dogs with patellar fracture occurring after TPLO.
Results:
Six of 305 (2%) dogs had a patellar fracture after TPLO; 5 dogs were clinically lame when the fracture was diagnosed and all had radiographic evidence of patellar tendon thickening. All dogs were treated nonsurgically. In 2 dogs where follow-up radiographs were available there was no evidence of fracture union. No dog had a persistent lameness.
Conclusion:
Fracture of the patella is an uncommon complication of TPLO surgery. Nonsurgical management can provide a satisfactory functional outcome.
