Patellar Luxation in Cats: 2025 Vet Insights 🐱🦵

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, feline veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. In this 2025 guide, we explore patellar luxation—when a cat’s kneecap (patella) slips out of its groove, causing intermittent limping or chronic stiffness. Learn grading, diagnosis, treatment (from conservative care to advanced surgery), and the role of home-care tools like Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz in joint rehabilitation. Your cat’s mobility is worth it! 💙

📌 What Is Patellar Luxation?

Patellar luxation (knee cap displacement) occurs when the patella moves medially or laterally out of its normal groove (trochlea), affecting motion and comfort. It’s less common in cats than dogs, but can cause significant lameness and arthritis over time.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Causes limb lameness, skipping, stiffness or sudden halting.
• Recurrent misalignment can damage cartilage, trigger early arthritis, and reduce mobility.
• Grade III–IV luxation often requires surgical correction to prevent long-term joint issues.

👥 Who's at Risk?

• Young cats—often congenital due to malformed stifle or hip.
• Certain breeds like Siamese or Persians may show higher incidence.
• Secondary cases due to trauma or previous orthopedic injuries.
• Indoor cats with jumping injuries may also be affected.

🔍 Grading the Luxation

Luxation is graded I–IV based on severity:

• Grade I: Patella luxates manually or occasionally but reduces spontaneously.
• Grade II: Spontaneous luxation or manual; sometimes remains out until manually reduced.
• Grade III: Patella luxated most of the time and must be pushed back manually.
• Grade IV: Permanently luxated; groove often malformed, and repositioning is difficult.

🧪 Signs & Symptoms

• Intermittent limping or “skipping” gait—often after activity.
• Limp, pain, or crouched stance during meals or grooming.
• Swelling, muscle wasting, reluctance to jump.
• Chronic arthritis signs—stiffness, discomfort, reduced activity.

🔬 Diagnostic Workflow

1. History & Exam: Lameness episodes; palpation detecting patella moving out of trochlear groove.
2. Radiographs (X-rays): Evaluate bone alignment, joint structure, and osteoarthritis signs.
3. Gait Analysis: Observing walking, stance, and jumping to assess limb use.
4. Advanced Imaging: CT or standing CT for detailed bone alignment in surgical planning (2025 standard).

🛠️ Treatment Strategies

A. Conservative Management (Grades I–II)

• Weight control to reduce strain on joints.
• Controlled exercise—low-impact play, avoid jumping, use ramps.
• Physiotherapy & hydrotherapy to strengthen muscles around the knee.
• NSAIDs for pain and inflammation relief, as prescribed.

B. Surgical Correction (Grades II–IV)

• Trochleoplasty: Deepening the groove for better patella tracking.
• Tibial Tuberosity Transposition: Adjusting tendon attachment to align kneecap.
• Soft Tissue Repair: Tightening ligaments to hold patella in place.
• Often combined procedures tailored to the cat’s anatomy—gold standard in 2025.

🌱 Recovery & Rehabilitation

• Strict crate rest initially, followed by controlled physiotherapy.
• Gradual reintroduction of leash walking, assisted exercise.
• Hydrotherapy to reduce joint loading and improve muscle strength.
• NSAIDs / joint supplements may continue during recovery.

📆 Prognosis

• Grade I–II: Excellent with conservative care; arthritis may develop later.
• Grade III–IV: Very good after surgery and rehab; many return to full activity.
• Early intervention improves outcomes and joint longevity.

🐾 Home-Care Support & Telehealth Tools

• Ask A Vet: Advises on exercise plans, NSAID dosing, and when to escalate care.
• Woopf: Provides home physical therapy kits, massage tools, and supports medication administration.
• Purrz: Tracks mobility, pain signals, play activity, muscle use patterns to adjust recovery plans.

🛡️ Prevention & Care Tips

• Maintain lean body condition—extra weight increases joint stress.
• Use ramps or pet stairs to reduce jumping impact.
• Routine orthopaedic exams—especially in young cats under 1 year.
• Early detection prevents chronic issues and arthritis.

🔬 2025 Veterinary Advances

• Standing CT scans for rapid, detailed anatomical mapping.
• Arthroscopic-assisted trochleoplasty with faster recovery.
• Customized exercise regimens via AI analysis of gait videos (Purrz integration).
• Cutting-edge joint supplements with targeted cartilage regeneration.

✅ Vet‑Approved Care Roadmap

1. Notice intermittent limping, skipping gait, or joint pain.
2. Schedule veterinary orthopedic exam focusing on patella movement.
3. Radiographs and possibly standing CT to assess alignment.
4. Choose conservative or surgical treatment based on grade.
5. Commit to physiotherapy and gradual rehab post-treatment.
6. Manage ongoing joint health with weight control, supplements, and exercise.
7. Monitor progress using Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz tools.
8. Periodic rechecks—X-rays to detect arthritis early.

✨ Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Patellar luxation in cats can limit mobility and cause long-term discomfort. Thankfully, today’s diagnostics, surgical techniques, and tailored rehab—supported by telehealth and home-care tools—offer cats renewed agility and comfort. With attentive treatment and ongoing care, your feline friend can jump, run, and pounce joyfully. 💙🐾

Need help now? Visit AskAVet.com or download our app for 24/7 guidance, joint-care advice, and tailored recovery support.