title: Fracture of the patella after TPLO in 6 dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical findings of dogs that sustained patellar fractures after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fracture of the patella is an uncommon complication of TPLO surgery. Nonsurgical management can provide a satisfactory functional outcome.
authors: Croft Veterinary Hospital, Cramlington, Northumberland, United Kingdom. s.rutherford@croftvets.co.uk
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Rutherford
authors: Jonathan C
authors: JC
authors: Bell
authors: Malcolm G
authors: MG
authors: Ness
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*