Laurie's Blogs.

Hi Laurie, May I pick your brain again?

I have a friend who has a elite level flyball dog. When younger she was diagnosed with bilaterally luxating patellas (medial)

The friend just did lots of general strengthening of the legs and no medical problems have arisen

since.

The other day she asked for strengthening exercises that would continue to strengthen the leg to minimize any possible further problems .

The only things I could think of that might be helpful would be side stepping against a theraband and teaching the peeing trick . My thinking if it's a medial luxation then anything to strengthen muscles that counter that force may be helpful.She currently is having the dog spring laterally into a wall in a way that mimics hitting the flyball box and I really worry that's not very controlled and asking for injury.

Am I out to lunch?

Thanks once again.

- A

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Hey A,

I'd agree that the 'lateral springing' likely isn't specific enough and could be problematic.

What we know in people is the gluteal strengthening is huge for knee stability.  My office managers dog has grade 2 patellas and we've kept her in agility with glute strengthening and keeping the pelvis lined up.  

So in clinic I do glute e-stim plust 3-leg stands, or step ups (squat blocks) with e-stim on glutes and time the exercise with the stim.  Home exercise is 3-leg standing with glute tapping, squat blocks, side stepping.  I'd maybe add tug of war, sit to stands facing up hill, jumping up onto a platform from a sit, backing up as an exercise...

Check out Video Training 125 & 126 for Conservative Management of Patellar Luxation & the Protocol on the same in the Articles section!

I have a little agility cocker spaniel that we identified luxating patellas on when she was a very young. The owner has been diligent about exercising and keeping her strong.  She's never been lame, she does well in agility, she got her Canadian championship, and when she was two, she took her to the vet surgeon to ask about doing surgery.  He advised against it because she was so good.

You're not out to lunch at all!

I hope this helps!

Cheers!

Laurie