This 7 year old F Chihuahua dog presented with acute left hind leg lameness of 2 days duration. Pain on extension of left stifle, positive cranial drawer.
This 7 year old F Chihuahua dog presented with acute left hind leg lameness of 2 days duration. Pain on extension of left stifle, positive cranial drawer.
Both patellae reveal medial luxation. The (assumed left) stifle joint presents neither effusion nor evidence of degenerative
joint disease. The (assumed right) stifle joint is included in the periphery of the view
and reveals no abnormalities except for the position of the patella.
Radiographically there is no evidence of stifle joint effusion or osteoarthritis which
renders a chronic degenerative joint disease with cranial cruciate ligament pathology
unlikely. The sensitivity of radiographs for cranial cruciate ligament pathology is very
limited though. An acute or partial rupture cannot be ruled out. Consider
ultrasonographic evaluation of the stifle using the standardized protocol for further
definition in case the clinical examination is equivocal. A primary sulcus or patella deformity is likely to be the underlying cause of the
bilateral patella luxation.
