Luxating Patella in Dogs: How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Mobility and Reduce Pain
- IN STRIDE
- Mar 8, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
By: Kaitlyn Lackey DC cAVCA
Published: March 8, 2024
The stifle joint, similar to the human knee, can be a common source of pain in smaller dogs. While luxating patella is more common in these pint-sized pups, it’s often overlooked, despite being a frequent cause of recurring joint pain in our four-legged companions.
Beyond traditional veterinary medicine, exploring complementary treatments like animal chiropractic care can significantly improve your dog's comfort and quality of life.
What are symptoms of Luxating Patella?
👉🏻 Symptoms may include:
Intermittent skipping on the hind leg
Hind leg lifted during or after running or walking
Difficulty sitting comfortably or reluctance to jump
Awkward posture (like bow-leggedness in the hind limbs)
Grinding or popping sounds when manipulating the leg
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to schedule a vet visit to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. As your pet ages, arthritis of the knee joint can also complicate this problem further and make symptoms more prevalent.
What causes Luxating Patella?
👉🏻 Luxating patella is a tracking disorder, meaning the patella (knee cap) becomes dislodged from its normal position in the patellar groove. The most common form of luxation is medial patellar luxation (MPL), where the kneecap moves inward.
Several factors may contribute to luxating patella, including:
Genetics: Small breed dogs, like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Maltese, are more prone to anatomical differences that affect the knee joint.
Abnormal bone development: Deformities in the femur, tibia, or the patellar groove can predispose your dog to luxating patella.
Age and arthritis: As your pet ages, degenerative joint changes like arthritis can make luxating patella more prevalent.
Will animal chiropractic care help my dog with Luxating Patellas?
👉🏻 Animal chiropractic can be effective in treating luxating patella, especially in mild to moderate cases. Chiropractic care focuses on improving joint alignment, which may help with knee tracking and prevent further joint wear.
Luxating patella is graded from 1 to 4 based on severity:
Grade 1: The patella mostly tracks normally but can be manually luxated.
Grade 2: The patella may occasionally track abnormally and get stuck, but it can be manually relocated.
Grade 3: The patella almost always tracks abnormally and is usually stuck, though it can be relocated manually.
Grade 4: The patella is permanently luxated and cannot be manually relocated.
For more severe grades (3 and 4), animal chiropractic may be a helpful supportive treatment but may not fully resolve the issue. In these cases, surgery may be considered as an option.
For mild to moderate cases, regular chiropractic adjustments can promote proper tracking of the kneecap, reducing wear on the joint, alleviate pain, and improve your dog’s mobility.
What to Look for in an Animal Chiropractor
When choosing an animal chiropractor, credentials matter. Be sure to choose a provider who is properly trained and certified in animal chiropractic care. Only veterinarians or chiropractors who have completed postgraduate education in animal chiropractic are eligible to become certified.
Look for credentials like:
Certified Animal Chiropractor (CAC)
Certified in Veterinary Chiropractic (CVC)
Certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy (CVSMT)
AVCA or IVCA certification (cAVCA, cIVCA)
Additionally, a responsible animal chiropractor will:
Perform a thorough pre- and post-treatment evaluation
Avoid excessive force or excessive theatrics during treatment
Address any questions or concerns you might have
If your dog is experiencing significant discomfort, chiropractic care should be used in addition to veterinary care. Make sure your primary veterinarian is involved in the process and is monitoring your dog’s overall health.
Across the United States there are different rules and laws about animal chiropractic care. In a select few states pets can see an animal chiropractor without first consulting a veterinarian... whereas in many other states an animal chiropractor may require a written referral or direct veterinary supervision. Please be mindful of this as it could delay your pet's accessibility to an appointment should they immediately be in need.
In Summary
Luxating patella is a common and often painful issue for small breed dogs. While surgery may be necessary for severe cases, animal chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, complementary treatment that can provide significant relief, improve mobility, and slow the progression of joint damage.
When choosing chiropractic care, always ensure that you work with a qualified, certified professional. Complementary care should always be part of a comprehensive health plan, alongside regular veterinary check-ups.
Consider adding an animal chiropractor to your dog’s healthcare team for a holistic approach to their well-being
Interested in learning more about how we help pets with luxating patella?
Interested in getting your pet started with us?
About the author
Kaitlyn Lackey DC cAVCA
Many people don’t know that I’ve sustained 3 very serious head injuries due to horseback riding.
When I sought medical treatment for these injuries, traditional medicine "failed me."
I'm very fortunate to have found chiropractic. Getting adjusted gave me my life back after I was struggling every day with dehabilitating migraines.
After seeing what it did for me, I thought: why isn’t this available to animals, too?
I decided against vet school and instead pursued chiropractic education. I graduated Parker University in April of 2017 with 2 Bachelors and my Doctorate then later received my AVCA certification in June of 2017.
I practiced for 2 years on humans and then shifted my focus to offering chiropractic care for animals full time in 2019. I now travel across North Dallas offering care to all sorts of animals.
I continue to do all that I can to practice evidence informed and patient centric chiropractic care to guarantee that my clients receive the best results.
DISCLAIMER
We operate in full compliance with all laws and regulations. Our services are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any specific illness or condition and should only be used as a complement to routine veterinary and/or medical care. Chiropractic may provide support and encourage the body into its most optimal state of health. The content provided herein is informational only and is not to be construed as medical or veterinary advice.
I want to let you know you came to the right place for complementary options for your pet! When choosing chiropractic for your pet, choose someone licensed, trained, and certified.
Comments