Repairing a luxating patella on a dog that is older can be done BUT it is not usually done unless there is a lot of discomfort or loss of use of the leg which is rare. When these dogs have LP the knee cap is constantly wearing on the cruciate ligament and these is no way to assess the condition of that ligament. You can repair the knee luxation but then have the pup tear the cruciate ligament after that....that means two different surgeries which are harder on the pup and certainly hard on your pocketbook.
Yes, some vets will repair luxating patellas;. but, a specialist will usually not unless they are young ... in which case the knee has not affected the ligament. |