Examination of the proximodistal patellar position in small dogs in relation to anatomical features of the distal femur and medial patellar luxation.

The proximodistal patellar position depends on multiple factors, and its determination based on PLL/PL alone may not be appropriate. Dogs with MPL did not have a proximally positioned patella compared with dogs without MPL. Although hindlimbs with MPL had a shorter trochlea than those without patellar luxation, this difference did not appear to be sufficient to displace the patellar position proximally in small dogs, possibly compensated by increased trochlear angle relative to the femur.