Should You Walk a Dog with Luxating Patella

Luxating patella, commonly referred to as kneecap dislocation, is a condition where the patella slips out of its normal track within the knee joint. This can lead to pain, lameness, and long-term joint damage if not managed properly. When it comes to walking a dog with this condition, it's essential to consider the severity of the problem and the individual dog's response to exercise. For dogs with mild cases of patellar luxation that are not showing signs of discomfort, short leash walks on soft surfaces like grass or dirt may be appropriate. However, activities that involve jumping, rapid changes of direction, or excessive impact should be avoided to prevent exacerbating the condition. 

How to Know if Your Dog Has Patellar Luxation?

To determine if your dog has patellar luxation, you need to focus on the following signs and symptoms:

1. Lameness and stiff legs

Dogs may walk with a limp and appear to have stiff legs, which is one of the common signs of patellar luxation. This lameness may be more pronounced when the dog walks up and down stairs or jumps, as these movements increase the stress on the knee joint.

2. Pain

When the patella is not in the correct position, the peripheral nerves can be compressed, causing your dog to feel pain. This pain may cause the dog to show discomfort when walking or exercising, or even refuse to move.

Related: Dog Joint Pain: Signs and How to Help

3. Restricted movement

Severe patellar luxation may prevent the dog from performing normal exercise. The dog may avoid using the affected leg or show significant difficulty when walking.

4. Persistent weak foot

A dog's foot may turn outward while walking, which is called weak foot. This is common when a dog suffers from patellar valgus.

5. Jumping Walk

Some dogs experience a jumping motion when walking, which is due to instability caused by patellar luxation. This jumping walk may be intermittent or continuous.

What Causes Patellar Luxation in Dogs?

Patellar ectropion in dogs, also known as patellar dislocation, is a common skeletal system disorder that primarily affects small dogs, but can occur in larger dogs as well. The causes of patellar luxation can be categorized into congenital and acquired factors.

Congenital factors

• Genetic factors: patellar luxation has a 7.2% prevalence of genetic disorders, the highest of all congenital defects. Certain breeds, such as Teddy, Pomeranian, Bichon Frise and other small dogs, are more prone to patellar dislocation due to genetic factors. These breeds may be born with abnormal patellar development, causing the patella to abnormally unite with the femur, increasing the risk of friction and wear.
• Skeletal structure abnormalities: Bone structure abnormalities such as congenital trochanteric deformity, poor alignment of the distal femur with the proximal tibia, and proximal tibial rotation may also lead to patellar dislocation. These abnormalities can make it easier for the patella to dislocate from the talocalcaneal groove during movement.

Acquired factors

Trauma: Trauma is a common cause of patellar dislocation. For example, strong pulling of the quadriceps muscle or tearing of the medial and lateral knee ligaments or the mid-rectal knee ligaments when the dog is jumping, colliding or exercising vigorously can lead to patellar dislocation.

1. Excessive exercise: too much exercise, especially in puppies, may lead to wear and tear on the joint and increase the risk of patellar dislocation.
2. Incorrect training: some owners prefer to have their dogs walk upright on their hind legs, which is a chronic injury to the dog and may lead to patellar dislocation.

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3. Obesity: overweight dogs may bear a greater burden on the joint, increasing the risk of patellar dislocation.
4. Other joint problems: diseases such as arthritis may also lead to patellar dislocation.

How to Treat Patellar Luxation in Dogs?

Conservative treatment 

1. Medication: For mild patellar luxation, muscle pain can be reduced by limiting exercise, using medication to relieve pain and inflammation, and physical therapy and massage.
2. Physical therapy: Physical therapy relieves the symptoms of patellar valgus and promotes healing through heat and massage.
3. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is an ancient treatment method that works by stimulating acupuncture points in your pet's body to enhance its self-healing ability.
4. Dietary management: during the treatment process, you need to pay attention to your dog's diet and choose food that is suitable for its health to avoid burdening it.

Surgical treatment 

• Patellar Ligament Repair: if the surgery is to repair a damaged patellar ligament, the veterinarian may access the patellar area through an incision and then repair or replace the damaged ligament.
• Patellar displacement correction: If the surgery is to correct an abnormal displacement of the patella, the veterinarian may reposition the patella in the incision, and in some cases a brace or implant may be needed to stabilize the joint.
• Joint Examination: After performing the surgical operation, the veterinarian will usually examine the joint to make sure that the patella is positioned correctly and that there are no obvious problems.

Preventive measures

Proper Exercise: Avoid over-exercise, especially during puppyhood, and control the amount of exercise and avoid strenuous exercise3.

Proper training: Avoid making your dog stand for long periods of time or performing actions that are not suitable for its body structure.

Weight control: Keep your dog's weight within a healthy range and avoid obesity.

Regular checkups: Take your dog to the veterinarian for regular checkups for early detection and treatment of potential joint problems.

Supplementation: Proper supplementation with chondroitin, glucosamine, and other nutrients will help maintain joint health.

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By understanding these treatments and preventative measures, you can effectively reduce the risk of patellar luxation in dogs and safeguard their health.

How to Care for a Dog with Patellar Luxation?

During the treatment of patellar luxation in dogs, a series of meticulous care measures need to be taken to ensure that your dog can make a successful recovery. Here are some specific care methods:

1. Strict restriction of activities

In the early stages of treatment, your dog's activities should be strictly limited to avoid any behaviors that may aggravate the joint. This includes avoiding going up and down stairs, jumping, standing or walking for long periods of time, and any movement that may cause the joints to hyperextend or twist.

2. Provide a comfortable resting environment

Provide a warm, dry and comfortable resting environment for your dog, avoiding damp and cold areas. Soft mattresses or blankets can be used to relieve pressure on the joints.

3. Regular massage and physiotherapy

Regular massage and physiotherapy can help relieve your dog's pain and improve blood circulation in the joints. Massage should be gentle and avoid putting too much pressure on the joints. Physical therapy can include hot compresses, hydrotherapy, etc. These methods can help reduce inflammation and promote muscle recovery.

4. Weight control

It is vital to keep your dog's weight within a healthy range, as excess weight can increase the burden on the joints and be detrimental to recovery. Your dog's diet should be adjusted according to your veterinarian's advice to avoid overfeeding.

Should You Walk a Dog with Luxating Patella?

If your dog is suffering from patellar luxation, you need to consider carefully whether to walk your dog.

I. Conditions in which walking the dog is not recommended

• When the disease is serious

If the patellar luxation is severe, the dog may feel severe pain when walking. Activities during dog walking, such as going up and down steps and running fast, will further aggravate the burden on the joint, leading to increased pain and may even cause further damage to the joint.

• When untreated

Blindly walking a dog without first being evaluated and treated by a veterinarian may worsen the condition. For example, the dog may dislocate the luxating patella more frequently due to inappropriate exercise, which can cause more damage to surrounding tissues such as ligaments and muscles.

II. Dogs can be walked under certain conditions

• If the condition is mild and you have the permission of your veterinarian

If the degree of patellar luxation is mild, and the veterinarian believes that appropriate exercise will not aggravate the condition, then you can walk your dog for a short period of time, slowly. For example, walking the dog at a slower pace on a flat surface will give the dog some activity, which is good for him physically and psychologically.
However, you should closely observe your dog's condition during the dog walking process. Once you find your dog showing signs of discomfort, such as limping and unwillingness to walk, you should stop immediately and take your dog home for a rest.

• After the dog wears an assistive device

If the dog wears auxiliary appliances recommended by the veterinarian, such as special guards, these guards can provide some support and protection to the patella. In this case, it is okay to walk your dog in the manner and for the length of time recommended by your veterinarian.

In conclusion, the decision of whether to walk a dog with patellar luxation depends on the specific condition of the dog, whether it has been treated or not, and the advice of the veterinarian.

FAQs

What to avoid with luxating patella?

• Avoid overweight

Obesity increases the burden on your dog's joints, so keep your dog's weight within a reasonable range. Excess weight puts extra pressure on the knee joint and increases the risk of patellar dislocation. Statistically, obese dogs are about 30% more likely to suffer from patellar dislocation than normal weight dogs.

• Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged standing

Strenuous exercise or prolonged standing and other activities that may increase the burden on the joints should be avoided as much as possible. For example, frequent jumping, stair climbing, and long periods of upright walking can lead to patellar dislocation. Moderate exercise can enhance the dog's muscle strength and joint stability, but excessive exercise should be avoided.

• Avoid improper living habits

Many pooper scoopers like to let their dogs stand and walk on their hind limbs, or fail to trim proper nail lengths for their dogs and cats, all of which can exacerbate the subsequent problems of patellar dislocation in dogs and should be improved in time. In addition, avoid letting your dog walk on smooth surfaces, which can easily lead to patellar dislocation due to falls.

What is the best exercise for dogs with luxating patella?

For dogs with patellar luxation, choosing the right exercises is crucial, not only to help them stay healthy, but also to reduce the burden on their joints and prevent the condition from worsening. Here are some suggestions for exercise for dogs with patellar luxation:

1. Swimming

Swimming is an ideal form of exercise as the buoyancy of the water takes the pressure off your dog's joints while exercising the muscles throughout the body. Swimming enhances your dog's cardiorespiratory fitness, improves muscle flexibility and strength, and is very beneficial for joint recovery and maintenance. In the water, the dog can move freely without placing an extra burden on the joints. However, the swimming time should not be too long to avoid dog fatigue.

2. Walking

Walking is a low-intensity exercise for dogs suffering from patellar luxation. Walking can boost your dog's metabolism and enhance muscle strength without putting too much pressure on the joints. Choose flat, soft surfaces for walking, such as grass or sand, and avoid walking on hard surfaces to minimize the impact on the joints. Walking speed should be moderate, avoid running or jumping quickly.

3. Straight leg raising exercise

Straight leg raising exercises can help dogs exercise their quadriceps muscles and enhance the stability of the knee joint. The dog can lie flat on the bed or on the floor, and the owner gently lifts one of the dog's legs, holds it for a few seconds and then slowly lowers it, repeating several times. This exercise can be performed several times a day, 10-15 times per leg each time.

How do you fix a luxating patella in a dog without surgery?

Conclusion

Dog walking can still be beneficial for dogs suffering from patellar luxation, but it needs to be properly adapted to their health condition. By taking the steps outlined above, you can help alleviate your dog's pain while maintaining his or her moderate activity level. It is best to consult your veterinarian for personalized advice and guidance before undertaking any dog walking activities.