Luxating patella
| Luxating patella | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Trick knee, subluxation of patella, floating patella, floating kneecap |
| Patellar luxation on radiograph: Left before, right after reduction; after reduction, the patella is still displaced. | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics |
A luxating patella, sometimes called a trick knee, is a condition in which the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. It can be associated with damage to the anterior cruciate ligament.
Patellar luxation is a common condition in dogs, particularly small and miniature breeds. The condition usually becomes evident between the ages of 4 and 6 months. It can occur in cats as well, especially domestic short-haired cats.
There have been several reports of patellar luxation in other species such as miniature pigs, alpacas, llamas, cattle, and goats.