Kedilerde Patella Luksasyonu

Patella luxation is a condition in which the kneecap dislocates, reducing the functionality of the knee joint. This condition causes instability in the cat's hind leg. However, the disease, which can manifest in varying degrees, can also cause pain and immobility. In this article, you can find information about patellar luxation in cats and learn important information about its symptoms. Patella luxation is an orthopedic condition. The patella is a small bone located under the patellar ligament in a groove called the trochlear groove in the femur. When the knee is bent, the patella moves up and down within the trochlear groove. If the kneecap does not function properly, it can protrude outwards or move in and out of the groove. Patella luxation can occur as a result of trauma or aging. If left untreated, it can lead to arthritis in cats. It is more common in Devon Rex and Abyssinian breeds because their kneecaps may be instable due to genetic predisposition.

Patellar luxation is an orthopedic condition. The patella is a small bone located under the patellar ligament that sits in a groove called the trochlear groove in the femur. When the knee is bent, the patella moves up and down within the trochlear groove. In cases where the kneecap does not function properly, it can dislocate outwards or move in and out of the groove.

Patellar luxation can occur as a result of trauma or aging. If left untreated, it can lead to arthritis in cats. Patellar luxation is more common in Devon Rex and Abyssinian cats because their kneecaps may be unstable due to genetic predisposition.

What are the Symptoms of Patellar Luxation?

The symptoms of the condition are pain and imbalance. When a cat's kneecap is missing, bending and straightening the knee joint is uncomfortable. This makes walking, running, or jumping painful for the cat.

Because cats don't have kneecaps on their front legs, patellar luxation can only occur in the hind legs. You may see a cat with patellar luxation frequently licking the knee joints of its hind legs, as cats try to heal themselves by licking or chewing the painful area. The severity of the luxation may be higher if both knees are affected.

A clicking sound from the knees when the cat walks indicates that the patella is loose. In such cases, the bone may wobble or loosen when the knee joint is touched.

The symptoms of the disorder may be more difficult to notice in some cases, while in others they may be more clearly apparent. When the kneecap is in the correct position, the cat can walk, run, or jump normally. When the kneecap is not in its proper place, sudden pain occurs in the knee during movement. This leads to the cat's movements being restricted. It is also possible for the cat to have low-grade luxation and not show any symptoms. In this case, the disorder can be diagnosed during a routine examination by a veterinarian.

Patella Luksasyonu Nedenleri

The exact cause of patellar luxation is not known. Insufficient depth of the trochlear groove to hold the kneecap, as well as ligament, tendon, or muscle injuries, may cause this problem. In some cases, anatomical deformities such as club legs can lead to patellar luxation. Some cats are genetically more predisposed to this problem. The incidence of patellar luxation is much higher in Abyssinian, Burmese, and Devon Rex breeds compared to other breeds. How is it Diagnosed? If you notice your cat limping, you should take it to a veterinarian immediately. Diagnosing luxation usually requires a physical examination of the knee. X-rays may be taken for differential diagnosis. Luxation is usually medial, meaning it displaces inwards towards the knee. However, in some cases, radial displacement outwards towards the knee may also be seen. Patellar luxation is evaluated in four different categories depending on the severity of the dislocation. First Degree: This is a mild dislocation of the kneecap. In such cases, a veterinarian can apply slight pressure to help the kneecap return to its proper position.

How is it Diagnosed?

If you notice your cat limping, you should take it to a veterinarian immediately. Diagnosing luxation usually requires a physical examination of the knee. X-rays may be taken for differential diagnosis. Luxation is usually medial, meaning it displaces inwards towards the knee. However, in some cases, radial displacement outwards towards the knee may also occur. Patellar luxation is evaluated in four different categories depending on the severity of the dislocation.

First Degree: This is a mild dislocation of the kneecap. In such cases, the veterinarian can apply slight pressure to help the cap return to its place.

Second Degree: The kneecap moves in and out intermittently on its own. The kneecap will not return to its proper position until the leg is straightened and rotated so that the kneecap returns to its socket.

Third Degree: The kneecap is usually dislocated and will not return to its proper position on its own. However, it can be easily repositioned by a veterinarian.

Fourth Degree: The kneecap is permanently dislocated. Fourth-degree dislocations are the most severe and cannot be repositioned by a veterinarian with external intervention. In this case, the cat needs surgery.

Treatment Methods

Conservative treatment is applied first in the treatment of patellar luxation. The cat's physical activity, such as running and jumping, may need to be restricted. The veterinarian may also recommend the use of anti-inflammatory drugs for a short period.

In first-degree cases, the cat rarely experiences discomfort. In second-degree cases, the kneecap may occasionally dislocate from the socket. In mild cases, the cat leads a relatively normal life. If knee problems recur, rest and medication may be needed from time to time.

In cases where conservative treatment is not beneficial and the dislocation is third or fourth-degree, surgery is required. In surgery, the conditions that cause the patella to dislocate are corrected. Various surgical techniques are used for patellar luxation. Usually, the trochlear groove is deepened and the soft tissues surrounding the patella are repositioned. Abnormally shaped bones may need to be reshaped.