Busan dog's rear leg limping, is it patellar luxation? Key orthopedic diagnostic points to check at an animal hospital in Daeyeon-dong
Author: Yeo Jae-seung, Chief Director (Chief Director of 24H UN animal medical center, Director of Pet Cardiology and Nephrology Center, Internal Medicine Director of 24H UN animal medical center)
This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Service Act.
If you've seen your dog suddenly hopping on one hind leg or hesitating and shaking their leg during a walk, you're likely to suspect patellar luxation first. However, the cause of rear leg lameness is not just patellar luxation, and the treatment direction varies greatly depending on the stage and condition. Please check the following three things first.
▪ Self-diagnosis based on symptoms alone is difficult — Rear leg limping can arise from various causes besides patellar luxation, including ACL rupture, hip dysplasia, and intervertebral disc disease.
▪ Small dogs have higher risk — According to related clinical data, small breeds such as Maltese, Poodles, and Pomeranians are known to have significantly higher rates of patellar luxation compared to large breeds.
▪ Early diagnosis prevents secondary complications — If discovered early and treatment timing is not missed, it helps prevent progression to secondary conditions such as arthritis and ACL rupture.
In Busan, your dog is lifting one hind leg, but is it really patellar luxation?
The symptom of suddenly lifting one hind leg and limping can be a typical signal of patellar luxation. However, there is a reason why it is difficult to conclude patellar luxation based on this symptom alone. According to related clinical data, the causes of rear leg lameness are diverse, including ACL rupture, hip dysplasia, and intervertebral disc disease in addition to patellar luxation, and each condition requires a different treatment approach. Therefore, differential diagnosis through imaging tests and physical palpation by a veterinarian must be performed first.
Special attention is needed, especially for guardians of small breeds like Maltese, Poodles, and Pomeranians that have small frames and vulnerable knee joint structures. In clinical data, small breeds are classified as breed groups with relatively high incidence rates of patellar luxation. However, symptoms do not necessarily mean patellar luxation. A veterinarian's orthopedic palpation and radiographic examination should take precedence over a guardian's self-judgment.
If you see these symptoms, we recommend immediate consultation
▪ Cases where the hind leg is completely lifted and cannot touch the ground for 24 hours or more
▪ Cases accompanied by sudden loss of hind leg strength or paralysis symptoms
▪ Cases where the dog severely refuses to be touched due to pain
If the above symptoms appear, it may be a situation requiring emergency differentiation such as intervertebral disc herniation, so it is safe to visit an animal hospital right away rather than watching and waiting.
What is patellar luxation, and how do Grades 1-4 differ?
Patellar luxation is a condition where the patella (kneecap) located at the front of the knee dislocates from its normal position in the trochlear groove (pulley groove). According to related clinical data, this condition is divided into four grades from Grade 1 to 4, and as the grade increases, pain and joint deformity become more severe and the need for surgery increases.
| Grade | Condition | Main Symptoms | General Treatment Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Intermittent luxation, patella dislocates when pressed but spontaneously reduces | Occasionally lifting hind leg, mostly normal gait | Conservative management including weight control, joint supplements, and environmental improvement |
| Grade 2 | Spontaneous luxation occurs frequently, cartilage damage may begin | Intermittent limping, frequently lifting hind leg | Conservative management first, surgery considered depending on condition |
| Grade 3 | Constant luxation state, manual reduction is possible | Continuous lameness, visible knee deformity | Surgical correction actively considered |
| Grade 4 | Manual reduction impossible, severe bone deformity present | Gait disturbance, chronic pain | Surgical correction necessary |
According to clinical data, Grades 1-2 center on conservative management including medication (NSAIDs), weight control, and environmental improvement to prevent slipping. In contrast, Grade 3 and above consider surgical correction such as deepening the trochlear groove or fixing the ligaments.
An important point to note is the result of neglect. Related clinical data indicate that ignoring patellar luxation can lead to secondary complications such as ACL rupture, meniscal damage, degenerative arthritis, and chronic pain. Additionally, even with the same grade, treatment direction can vary depending on the pet's weight, age, and guardian's environment, so grade determination must be conducted together with clinical palpation and imaging tests such as X-rays.
Why you should receive orthopedic diagnosis at 24H UN animal medical center's surgical center
Clinically important in patellar luxation diagnosis is that physical examination alone makes it difficult to fully understand bone deformity and the degree of cartilage damage. According to related clinical data, accurate grade determination requires combining X-rays and high-resolution imaging tests with orthopedic palpation by a veterinarian to comprehensively review the knee joint's movement, swelling, and pain response.
Additionally, even when surgery is decided, sufficient pre-operative consultation with a veterinarian and regular check-ups should be conducted to select the surgical method most suitable for each individual pet.
The surgical center at 24H UN animal medical center in Daeyeon-dong, Busan operates with specialized medical staff on site 365 days, 24 hours a day, and provides customized orthopedic care for pets through an inter-departmental consultation system between surgical and internal medicine.
Below are key items confirmed during the diagnostic process.
▪ Physical palpation — Direct confirmation of patella position, degree of displacement, and reduction
▪ Radiographic (X-ray) examination — Identification of bone alignment abnormalities, trochlear groove depth, and femoral and tibial deformities
▪ Imaging tests — Supplementary confirmation of cartilage and ligament damage
▪ Internal medicine consultation — Confirmation of overall health status (heart and kidney function, etc.) before planning anesthesia and surgery
▪ Surgical method determination — Customized correction plan considering grade, weight, age, and living environment
Even during nighttime or situations with sudden symptom deterioration, a medical environment that enables 24-hour diagnosis and initial treatment is available, ensuring rapid response in emergency situations.
Limitations and scope of application
A guardian's personal observation is important reference material for diagnosis. However, personal observation cannot replace diagnosis itself. The following criteria will help you distinguish situations requiring immediate consultation from the scope of general management applications.
▪ Emergency signals requiring immediate consultation
▪ Cases where the hind leg is completely lifted and does not touch the ground for 24 hours or more
▪ Cases accompanied by sudden hind leg paralysis or loss of strength — According to related clinical data, such cases fall under emergency treatment due to the possibility of spinal cord compression from intervertebral disc herniation
▪ Cases where severe swelling or deformity in the knee or leg area is visually observable
▪ Lifestyle management that guardians can apply in mild Grade 1-2 cases
▪ Creating a non-slip environment with mats and carpets on slippery floors (hardwood floors, tiles)
▪ Minimizing jumping on sofas, beds, and other high places
▪ Taking joint supplements and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) as prescribed by the veterinarian
▪ Maintaining appropriate weight — Overweight directly increases joint burden
▪ Regular veterinary follow-up examinations
However, determining the timing of surgery is strictly the veterinarian's responsibility. Guardians should not self-judge to delay or rush surgery.
▪ Importance of post-surgical rehabilitation management
According to clinical data, patellar luxation can recur after surgery if the underlying causes (overweight, slippery environment, excessive exercise) are not improved. After surgery, it is crucial to strictly follow the exercise restriction period guided by the veterinarian and consistently maintain weight management and a non-slip environment for successful recovery.
Guardians residing in nearby areas of Daeyeon-dong, Yongho-dong, and Munhyeon-dong in Nam-gu can also visit 24H UN animal medical center. Parking space is available, and 24-hour medical services are available even during nighttime and emergency situations.
In Busan, check your dog's rear leg problems right now
24H UN animal medical center provides customized pet care 365 days, 24 hours in Daeyeon-dong, Busan. Rear leg limping is a symptom with risk of secondary complications to simply watch and wait. In coverage by Kukmin Ilbo, it is reported that patellar luxation rarely heals naturally, and can recur even after surgery if the underlying causes (environment, weight) are not improved.
If you've witnessed your dog lifting their leg once or twice, now may be the most appropriate time to have a diagnosis. The lower the grade, the more conservative management can slow progression, and even if surgery is necessary, early detection can lead to better recovery prognosis.
What stage the rear leg abnormality is at, whether surgery is necessary, what needs to be done right now — the direction appropriate for your pet's situation can be confirmed through consultation.
These are frequently asked questions
Q1. My dog limps and then seems fine quickly. Can I just watch and wait?
Intermittently lifting the leg and spontaneously reducing is a pattern commonly seen in Grades 1-2. Even though it seems fine on the surface, internally cartilage damage or increased frequency of luxation may be occurring. If symptoms repeat, it is recommended to confirm the current stage through veterinary orthopedic palpation and imaging tests rather than watching and waiting. Results can vary depending on individual conditions.
Q2. If it's patellar luxation, do I absolutely have to have surgery?
Not all patellar luxations require surgery. Mild Grade 1-2 cases prioritize conservative management including weight control, non-slip environments, and medical treatment. Grade 3 and above, or even mild cases with persistent pain or rapid progression, warrant active surgical consideration. Whether to have surgery is determined together with a veterinarian by comprehensively assessing grade, age, weight, and living environment.
Q3. How should I manage my dog at home after surgery?
Strictly following the exercise restriction period guided by the veterinarian is most important in the immediate post-operative period. Avoid slippery floors and maintain a non-slip environment with mats, and restrict jumping and stair use. Maintaining appropriate weight also directly affects joint recovery and recurrence prevention. Recovery time and rehabilitation methods may differ depending on surgical method and individual condition, so please confirm guidelines individually with your attending veterinarian.
Results can vary depending on individual conditions