title: Management of bilateral patellar luxation in an alpaca.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report surgical management bilateral lateral patellar luxation in a mature alpaca using a combination of trochlear wedge recession (TWR), tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT), and joint capsule imbrication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  9-year-old castrated male Alpaca.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bilateral, grade III/IV, lateral patellar luxation was identified by palpation, lameness examination and confirmed with radiography and ultrasonography. Surgical procedures were staged, with the left stifle treated first. Bilateral TWR, TTT, and joint capsule imbrication were performed. Outcome was assessed by radiography and follow up lameness examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An immediate improvement in weight bearing occurred after surgery of the left hind limb. Five months after initial surgery, right hind limb patella luxation was corrected. After surgery on the 2nd limb, the alpaca had progressive improvement in weight bearing during hospitalization. At 12 months, there were no signs of lameness and the alpaca had resumed normal activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For bilateral lateral patellar luxation, a combination of TWR, TTT, and joint capsule imbrication resulted in excellent long-term outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Gustavo A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Abuja
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kowaleski
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-López
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D008297:Male; D031222:Patellar Dislocation / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D013264:Stifle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery