Last year in May, Maggie had the medial patellar luxation surgery on her back right knee.  We were told by the referral service that she was a perfect candidate for the surgery and that we should not let it go untreated for too long or it may become traumatic.  So my husband and I deployed last year, leaving Maggie in the loving hands of our best friends (who have 2 huge boxers that think Maggie is the Queen of the World) so that we could make enough money to pay for the surgery...$1200 per leg (but only one leg was necessary). 

She went to all of her check ups and just came out of the surgery great and physical therapy was great.  She is now back to chasing frisbees and balls and just loves to run and play.  Well she had her regular check up with the vet for boosters and heartworm tests and I asked her to check her knees to make sure we are still good.  Her other leg..not the surgical one..has the luxating patella too but not as bad and doesn't need surgery (yet anyways).  But disturbingly enough, on the surgical leg her patella is luxating STILL!!!  She told me to call the surgical practice back and see if they need to see her again because she may need surgery again  I am completely po'd at this point.  I cannot put her through that again...it's not the surgery or the pain because she did really well and didn't seem to be in pain hardly at all but she hates to be kept down.  It is a feat in futility to keep her from walking on the hardwood floors or running at the door when the door bell rings.  THe first go round was tough for me and my husband just keeping her still .

I have done some research on this and I just want to do what's best for her.  Her livlihood is FRISBEE.  SHe hasn't acted lame or hurt or like it's bothering her  at all since she got clearance from her surgeon.  Can anyone offer some advice?  My last RT had leg problems, not luxation but she still had to have surgeries and finally an amputation, which didn't slow her down a bit!  Just needed to vent and a little advice.  Thanks!

I'm not sure what the outcome of this surgery should be....I assume it's not normal for the vet to still feel luxating patellas?  If so I'd be PO'd, too.  Is it at least a lower grade now?

Mitzy has the grade 1, mildest type of luxating patellas and our vet has never suggested surgery.  Just to keep her weight down and exercise her.  Now, with hers she never got lame or yelped or was in pain.  The only symptom was that she would skip sometimes when transitioning from canter to trot.  She doesn't do that too much anymore with the exercise and losing 1 pound (doesn't sound like a lot but on an 11 lb dog it is!).  I've also heard glucosamine supplements help.

Are you going back to the surgeon?  Please keep us updated.  I do know how hard it is to keep this little guys quiet when they're recovering.