Surgical repair of bilateral lateral patellar luxation in a foal using block-recession trochleoplasty and polypropylene mesh reinforcement: Case report and review of literature

Patellar luxation is a rare orthopedic condition in horses, with congenital lateral patellar luxation being the most frequently reported form. A few sporadic reports have described surgical options for addressing equine patellar luxation. This report details the clinical presentation of a 2-month-old Italian Trotter foal diagnosed with bilateral lateral patellar luxation. Staged surgical correction of both stifles was performed, including block recession trochleoplasty combined with the application of polypropylene mesh for reinforcing medial imbrication sutures. Intra- and post-operative evaluations confirmed proper patellar positioning, tracking, and quadriceps mechanism alignment with positive functional outcomes. This case highlights the potential benefits of block recession trochleoplasty and polypropylene mesh application in managing equine patellar luxation, particularly when underlying bone deformities are present.