What is the success rate and recurrence rate for luxating patella surgery?
Filed Under (Dogs) by teninfos on 29-06-2009
JLee asked:
My (almost) 1 year old Staffordshire Terrier mix, Rocky, was diagnosed today with a luxating patella. His veterinarian says he will need the surgery ASAP. I have read that in larger dogs there is a high risk of recurrence. He is 58 pounds. What is the success rate for the surgery in larger dogs and the recurrence rate?
My (almost) 1 year old Staffordshire Terrier mix, Rocky, was diagnosed today with a luxating patella. His veterinarian says he will need the surgery ASAP. I have read that in larger dogs there is a high risk of recurrence. He is 58 pounds. What is the success rate for the surgery in larger dogs and the recurrence rate?
I worked with an orthopedic veterinarian surgeon for 1 year. If the surgery is done by a qualified surgeon, the success rate is high. ( I don’t have any percentages to give you. ) Make sure the surgeon is qualified in orthopedics. Do not let a veterinarian who has not been trained specifically in orthopedics perform this type of surgery. Some will try, and the price is cheaper, but the dog usually ends up having it corrected at the orthopedic surgeon’s clinic.
I was told the success rate is high - by more than one “qualified surgeon”.
And I guess my golden retrievers legs were…successfully treated.
For a short period of time.
A year later he “injured himself” again.
So I did some research.
Fairly simple procedure.
Success depends on the dog, the surgeon, and the dogs lifestyle.
“Big”, active dogs that are prone to bone and joint problems…
potential problems.
My dog was a LARGE (not fat) Golden Retriever that just couldn’t sit still to heal.
The surgeon, I guess, was competent but post surgery care and handling - to me - left a lot to be desired.
My pooch lead a very active, entertaining, nearly anxious, lifestyle…
he loved to jump, climb, and pull - which made things difficult for him.
My advice…
and I’m nobody qualified…just a dog lover…
get the surgery done.
Home care:
- keep your pooch restful,
- ice the surgery site daily (no more than 15 minutes at a time, a few times a day, for 3 days),
- dont let him chew stitches,
- after doc recommended inactivity - try to rehab with swimming.
Best of long term success.