Emma- Luxating Patella

Emma- Luxating Patella

When we first met Emma she was a lively five month old, four-pound toy poodle puppy who had undergone surgery for a luxating patella five days earlier.  Emma had been born with a grade IV (severe) luxating patella, or slipped kneecap, on her left knee and a grade II (moderate) on her right.  Because of these abnormalities Emma preferred to lift her hind end up and walk balanced only on her front legs like a circus star. This habit made for a most peculiar gait and challenging rehabilitation.

Emma had surgery (trocheoplasty with medial and lateral imbrication) on her left hind leg on September 29, 2010. Five days later she was still holding her leg entirely off the ground. Her short attention span and puppy energy level had to be addressed while we created a plan to encourage her to bear weight on her hind legs and develop a normal gait. Through a unique regimen that combined controlled play, therapeutic exercise and hydrotherapy, slowly but surely Emma began to use all four legs and her topline started to smooth out, just in time for her second surgery!

Emma’s right stifle was repaired December 8, 2010. When she returned to rehab December 16th, she was throwing her weight forward again and hunching her back, not quite back to square one. Again we began the slow process of creative activities, including passive range of motion, therapeutic modalities and hydrotherapy. As Emma advanced to the land treadmill and pool-swimming her topline became more level and she started to walk like a normal dog.

Two surgeries and four months of rehab did not dampen Emma’s lively personality. With her structural problems addressed she now happily strolls her collegiate neighborhood alongside her devoted dad, all four legs on the ground (except when she’s leaping for poodle joy).