View Full Version : luxating patella brace?
jenise
03-10-2008, 12:30 PM
has anyone used bandaging or a brace to prevent mild patella luxation? it seems like such an immediate rush to surgery with no alternatives my dog has no pain, her knee slips out once or twicw a day(she is very active) and 50% goes back on its own 50% I must extend her leg to get it back. it is a very livable situation right now which might be even better with some sort of brace or support but my vets only answer is surgery. seems extreme - thanks for any help
kurikim
03-10-2008, 01:11 PM
I don't really know about this condition, but as a suggestion-
If you can't find a brace, maybe try using an ace bandage to wrap it?
lindsayanng
03-10-2008, 01:42 PM
the only concern i would have with letting this continue is that the constant wear on the bones that the slipping out would have.
I have never had a dog with this condition, BUT my husbad has had it and had the surgery to fix it evetually. Basically the more the bone slips out of place, the more stress and friction is on the bones and tendons. Its really bad over time, and needs to be fixed evetually to avoid arthitis, tendonitis, and bone wear.
A bandage would be a quick temporary fix, but a dog that wears a bandage or brace for a lond period of time will develope other issues because of that. Muscle fatigue being one, as well as skin rashes, ect.
MandyPug
03-10-2008, 02:34 PM
How old is your puppy? What breed? My older pug ruby had a mild luxating patella when she was a puppy. With proper weight control and exersize patterns she grew out of it. Sometimes if it's really bad, surgery is the safest and best option. Especially in the long run.
jenise
03-10-2008, 02:51 PM
she just turned one year, italian greyhound, no weight problem, very active, what do you mean by excersise?
MandyPug
03-10-2008, 07:25 PM
swimming [great for joint issues like luxating patella, by strengthening the joint while not putting pressure on it], controled walks [not too lengthy, not too fast paced], limiting running [understandibly hard to do for an IG]
She may be able to still outgrow this, have you seen more than one vet about it? getting more than one opinion may grant you more options and often if you see a holistic vet about it there are suppliments like glucosamine that can be given.
I always say if you're wary about what your vet says, get a second opinion. The second vet may check out something the first vet didnt.