Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2780-8907
Original Research

Quantitative Computed Tomographic Assessment of Feline Stifles Following Block Recession Trochleoplasty and Tibial Tuberosity Transposition for Medial Patellar Luxation

Authors

  • Luca Bresciani 

    1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, King Animal Hospital, King City, Ontario, Canada

  • Sorrel Langley-Hobbs

    2   Department of Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgery, Bristol Vet School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, United Kingdom

  • Josh Winter

    3   Department of Small Animal Orthopaedic and Soft Tissue Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

  • Nicolas Barthelemy

    4   Department of Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgery, Langford Vets Small Animal Referral Hospital, Langford, Bristol, United Kingdom

Funding Information BVOA grant awarded on August 21, 2020.
Further Information
Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objective

This prospective study aimed to report femoro-patellar joint congruency assessed by computed tomography (CT) following block recession trochleoplasty (BRT) and tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT) in cats with medial patellar luxation (MPL).

Materials and Methods

Six cats (median age 56 months; range 15–86 months) with 10 stifles with grades 2 (n = 5) and 3 (n = 5) MPL were enrolled. Standard BRT and TTT were performed. Standardized CT measurements of the trochlear groove (width, depth, and area) and patella (recessed area) were performed preoperatively (T0), immediately postoperatively (T1), and at a 6-week re-examination (T6) with stifles in extended and flexed positions.

Results

Mean femoral trochlear area and depth increased significantly between T0–T1, T1–T6, and T0–T6 (p < 0.05). Mean recessed patellar area significantly increased between all time points when the stifle was flexed and between T0–T1 and T0–T6 when the stifle was extended (p < 0.05). Mean trochlear width increased significantly between T0 and T6 (p < 0.05). No cats had MPL recurrence at the 6-week follow-up.

Conclusion

Block recession trochleoplasty combined with TTT improved patellar congruency immediately after surgery, with further improvement documented at the 6-week postoperative re-examination.

Keywords

feline - medial patellar luxation - block recession trochleoplasty - computed tomography - stifle joint

Contributors' Statement

L.B. contributed to collecting of the data, performed the analysis, contributed data or analysis tools; S.L.-H. conceived and designed the analysis, contributed data or analysis tools, and wrote the paper; J.W. contributed in grant and ethical approval application; N.B. conceived and designed the analysis, contributed data or analysis tools, and wrote the paper.




Publication History

Received: 03 June 2025

Accepted: 03 January 2026

Article published online:
23 January 2026

© 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany