Patellar Luxation is unfortunately all too common. Whether surgery is required depends on the severity. It can range from grade 1 to grade 4, with 4 being the worst. Jezebel had grade two, and I never saw her have any problems until she came up limping one morning. She had torn a ligament in her left knee, and she had TPLO surgery 9 days later to fix the ligament, and the surgeon fixed the LP at the same time.
Her surgeon did not recommend doing anything to the other knee that still has grade 2 LP. It has never caused her any problems and I've never seen her walk or run in a way that indicates that it has slipped out. He says that if he fixed it, the dog sometimes tears their ligament and then he has to go back in for a second surgery.
She had the surgery three years ago and she is doing great. At her vet visit in February, her vet said that both knees felt exactly the same so there was absolutely no arthritis.
It sounds like from your pup's symptoms that it is one of the higher grades. Kudos to you for getting her to an ortho for a consult.
__________________ Life is merrier with a Yorkshire Terrier! Jezebel  & Chuy ... RIP: Barkley  Loosie & Sassy  |