Intermittent upward fixation of the patella in 12 cows: A retrospective study of treatment and long-term prognosis

Abstract

This retrospective study investigated possible risk factors for intermittent upward fixation of the patella and the outcome of medial patellar desmotomy in 12 cows. All but one young cow had distinctive clinical signs, which usually started in the periparturient period. Medial patellar desmotomy led to normalisation of the stride in 10 cows but did not improve the condition of the young cow. Another cow developed instability and signs of lateral patellar luxation in the affected stifle and was euthanized. The 10 cows that were operated successfully remained in the long term free of symptoms. Medial patellar desmotomy is a suitable treatment for upward patellar fixation in cattle but should be reserved for cows with typical clinical signs. The medial patellar ligament should be cut 4 to 6 cm proximal to its insertion on the tibia to minimise the risk of injury to the middle patellar ligament.