The value of routine radiographic follow up in the postoperative management of canine medial patellar luxation

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the influence of radiographic examination on the recommendations made at the time of planned re‐evaluation of dogs after medial patellar luxation (MPL) surgery.Study designRetrospective multi‐institutional case series.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs (N = 825) that underwent MPL surgery.MethodsRecords of 10 referral institutions were searched for dogs that had been treated surgically for unilateral MPL and underwent a planned follow‐up visit, including radiographs. The frequency of, and reasons for, changes in further recovery recommendations were investigated.ResultsFollow up was performed at a median of 6 (range, 4‐20) weeks postoperatively. Isolated radiographic abnormalities were identified in 3.3% (27/825) of dogs following MPL surgery and led to a change in recommendations in 3% (13/432) of dogs that were presented without owner or clinician concerns. Lameness, administration of analgesia at follow up, and history of unplanned visits prior to routine re‐examination were associated with a change in postoperative plan (P < .001). In the absence of owner and clinician concerns, the odds of having a change in convalescence plans were not different, whether or not isolated radiographic abnormalities were present (P = .641).ConclusionRoutine radiographs at follow up did not influence postoperative management of most dogs after MPL surgery in the absence of abnormalities on clinical history or orthopedic examination.Clinical significanceDogs that were presented for routine follow up after unilateral MPL surgery without owner concerns, lameness, analgesic treatment or a history of unplanned visits, and for which examination by a surgical specialist was unremarkable, were unlikely to benefit from radiographs.