Patellar luxation

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Hi everyone,

I'm completely new to this site, but I’m posting here as a bit of a shot in the dark.

My cat is turning 4 this year and I've recently noticed that he's been limping occasionally. After keeping an eye on him for a few days, I booked an appointment with my vet.

The diagnosis is in: patellar luxation (a slipped kneecap). He explained that it’s likely a congenital issue from birth; he can live with it, but surgery is also an option. However, it would be a major operation.

I wanted to know if any of you have dealt with this kind of problem with your cats. If so, do you have any feedback or advice you could share?

For now, I’m trying to do everything possible to reduce his limping and discomfort without opting for surgery, provided it stays manageable for him.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Translated from French
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    Chatzen Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    You did the right thing getting him checked out, and especially watching him closely before doing anything — plenty of people miss these “intermittent” limps.

    Patellar luxation in cats, while less common than in dogs, isn’t that unusual either. And like your vet said, it’s often congenital or linked to their growth.

    The most important thing is his actual level of discomfort.

    👉 If your cat:

    • only limps every now and then

    • carries on running, jumping and playing as normal

    • doesn’t seem to be in pain day-to-day

    ...then it’s usually at a “manageable” stage without needing surgery straight away.

    On the other hand, if you notice that:

    • the limping is becoming more frequent

    • he’s avoiding certain movements (jumping, stairs)

    • or he’s showing signs of pain

    ...then you shouldn't leave it too long, because it can cause wear and tear on the joint over time.

    💡 What you can do right now (and you're already on the right track):

    • keep an eye on his weight (this is vital for joints)

    • try to avoid him making big, repetitive jumps (high sofas, furniture)

    • make things easier for him to get to (use little steps or stable surfaces)

    • encourage some gentle activity to keep his muscle tone up

    Some cats live perfectly happily like this for years without surgery, while others eventually need it — there’s no single right answer, it really depends on how it progresses.

    In any case, you're doing exactly the right thing: observing, adapting, and not rushing into anything.

    Keep us posted on how he gets on 🙂

    Chatzen 🐾

    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello, Patellar luxation (a slipped kneecap) is less common in cats than in dogs. Nevertheless, as your vet explained, it’s likely a condition that was present at birth or developed while your cat was growing. A luxating patella can manifest very differently from one animal to another depending on the grade of severity. As long as there are no symptoms, monitoring the animal's weight and potentially encouraging muscle strengthening in the affected leg can be enough to keep the cat comfortable and prevent the condition from worsening. However, your cat is starting to show signs of discomfort: limping is a sign that your cat is no longer coping with the luxated kneecap as well as before. Surgery is therefore becoming a more appropriate option. Indeed, joint and musculoskeletal pain can be extremely painful when it progresses or becomes chronic. Moreover, by limping, there's a risk of damaging other parts of the joint due to the added strain: they could develop arthritis or even suffer a ruptured cruciate ligament. Your cat is still very young, so do continue to keep them as comfortable as possible and don't hesitate to have another chat with your vet about the surgery and the ins and outs of the procedure. Best wishes, Quitterie
    Translated from French

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