Lateral patellar luxation in miniature horses

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Equine Orthopedics
• Patellar Luxation

Background:

• Bilateral patellar luxation, graded 3-4, caused significant ambulatory difficulties in four Miniature Horses.
• Radiographic evidence of trochlear ridge hypoplasia was present in all affected horses.
• Patellar luxation is a debilitating condition in horses, impacting mobility and athletic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a specific surgical technique for correcting bilateral patellar luxation in Miniature Horses.
• To assess the long-term outcomes, including resolution of lameness and recurrence of luxation, following surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Surgical correction involved a lateral release incision of the patellar fascia.
• Medial imbrication of the parapatellar fascia to the sartorius muscle tendon was performed.
• Follow-up assessments were conducted between 11 months and 4 years post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Three out of four horses achieved complete resolution of patellar luxation and associated lameness.
• One horse experienced recurrence of grade 3 patellar luxation in the left stifle, while the right stifle remained normal.
• The surgical technique demonstrated a high success rate in restoring normal stifle function.

Conclusions:

• Lateral release and medial imbrication is an effective surgical treatment for bilateral patellar luxation in Miniature Horses.
• The procedure offers a favorable prognosis for resolving lameness and restoring normal gait, despite a risk of recurrence in some cases.