Are you sure she did not say a "slipped stifle?" All dogs have a stifle -- it is the hind leg joint beteen femur and tibia. If this is so, it is terrible that she did not disclose such a potentially serious condition. But maybe it is not Luxated Patella/slipped stifle but just a problem from being cage kept as your vet said. Here is an explanation that might help you.
"Luxated Patella, (slipped stifle or displaced knees). The stifle is the joint of the hind leg between the femur and the tibia. The stifle joint of the dog corresponds to the knee joint of the human. The patella, the kneecap, is a small rounded bone normally located at the front of the stifle. The patella is held in position by ligaments and by the bony structure of the joint itself. When the patella is not in the correct position, it is said to be luxated. Congenital malformations of the bones of the stifle may cause the patella to be displaced from its correct position at the front of the joint, usually to an abnormal medial position toward the inner surface of the joint. Some conditions can occur in several degrees of severity. Breeders know these conditions as "slipped stifle"." |