A low morbidity surgical approach to the sheep femoral trochlea

Table 1 Grades of patellar luxation in sheep

Grade	Patella at examination	Luxation	Reposition	Reluxation	Lameness	Bone deformities
I	reduced	manual by digital pressure	spontaneous	rare	mild	seldom
II	reduced in extension and luxated in flexion	manual by digital pressure or spontaneous in flexion	manual by digital pressure or spontaneous in extension	upon manipulation	resolvable skipping lameness	sometimes
III	luxated	spontaneous	manual by digital pressure	frequent	severe	often
IV	luxated	permanent	not possible	permanent	crouching stance	very often

Patellar luxations in sheep are evaluated according to the grading scales developed for small animals such as cats and dogs [50, 62]. Diagnosis can be made upon clinical examination; radiographic analysis is not necessary. Clinical signs at adspection include abnormalities in gait or hindleg carriage with the stifle joint flexed, lameness, locking of the affected limb in extension, and -especially in bilateral luxations- crouching, bowlegged or knock-kneed stance.

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