Fracture of the Patella after TPLO in 6 Dogs.

OBJECTIVE:
To describe the clinical findings of dogs that sustained patellar fractures after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).
STUDY DESIGN:
Retrospective case series.
ANIMALS:
Dogs with patellar fractures that occurred after TPLO surgery (n = 6).
METHODS:
Medical records (November 1, 2008-October 31, 2010) were reviewed to identify dogs with patellar fracture occurring after TPLO.
RESULTS:
Six of 305 (2%) dogs had a patellar fracture after TPLO; 5 dogs were clinically lame when the fracture was diagnosed and all had radiographic evidence of patellar tendon thickening. All dogs were treated nonsurgically. In 2 dogs where follow-up radiographs were available there was no evidence of fracture union. No dog had a persistent lameness.
CONCLUSION:
Fracture of the patella is an uncommon complication of TPLO surgery. Nonsurgical management can provide a satisfactory functional outcome.