Medial patellar luxation (MPL) is one of the most common orthopedic disorders in small-breed dogs and is associated with progressive joint degeneration, gait abnormalities, and long-term functional impairment. Despite its high prevalence, current treatment strategies remain primarily focused on structural correction, whereas rehabilitation approaches targeting dynamic patellar stability and functional recovery remain insufficiently established. In particular, rehabilitation concepts addressing muscle function, multi-joint coordination, and neuromuscular regulation have not been systematically integrated into current veterinary rehabilitation paradigms.
In human medicine, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) has been extensively investigated as a disorder characterized by abnormal patellar tracking and dynamic patellar instability associated with altered muscle function and impaired neuromuscular control. Based on these pathophysiological and rehabilitation concepts, this review examined the translational relevance of PFPS-derived rehabilitation strategies to canine MPL.
Comparative analysis suggested the presence of partially shared biomechanical characteristics related to patellar tracking and quadriceps function between humans and dogs, despite substantial interspecies differences in gait mechanics and limb loading. Evidence from PFPS rehabilitation studies suggests that interventions emphasizing coordinated muscle function, multi-joint coordination, neuromuscular control, and gait retraining may contribute to restoration of dynamic patellar stability. Accordingly, this review proposes a phase-based, species-adapted translational rehabilitation framework for canine MPL consisting of muscle activation, restoration of multi-joint coordination, neuromuscular regulation, and gait retraining.
Although current biomechanical and clinical evidence in dogs remains limited, this framework may provide a conceptual foundation for future function-oriented rehabilitation strategies and prospective validation studies, thereby supporting expansion of canine MPL management beyond structural correction alone toward long-term functional recovery and recurrence prevention.
