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Patella surgery risks and success rates

EMReviewed by Eben Martin, Veterinary Surgeon · Updated August 2026

Patella surgery has a high success rate, with the large majority of dogs returning to sound, comfortable movement. The complication that matters most is reluxation: in a minority of dogs, more commonly with high grades, the kneecap slips again and may need revision. Minor wound issues and implant irritation make up most of the rest.

Holding a quote or a diagnosis? It costs nothing to ask.

Tell a veterinary surgeon what you have been told. You will know what they can do and what it costs before you pay anything.

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The realistic risk picture

  • Reluxation: the headline risk, more likely in grade 3 and 4 knees; ranges from a minor residual wobble to needing revision surgery
  • Implant irritation: the pin or wire used in some techniques can irritate and occasionally needs removal after healing
  • Infection and wound problems: uncommon, usually manageable, take any discharge seriously
  • Ongoing arthritis: knees that luxated for years have worn cartilage; surgery stops the grinding but does not resurface the joint
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Get a surgeon's opinion on your dog's kneecap

Send what your vet said and quoted. A veterinary surgeon reads it and comes back to you with what they can do and what it would cost, before you pay anything. A written second opinion is from $250.

  • If the surgeon can't add anything useful to your case, they'll say so and there's no charge.
  • You hear back from a surgeon within 2 business days.
  • Patella surgery is quoted from $3,000 to $6,000 in Australia. A surgeon's read on your quote is the cheapest line in this decision.
Read by a veterinary surgeon who does these operations, not a call centre. No charge to send. You know the price before you pay anything.
By sending this you agree to be contacted about your enquiry. Privacy policy. A written second opinion is from $250, confirmed before you pay.

Questions that sort the quotes

How many of these do you do a year? What is your reluxation rate? Which techniques are you planning for this specific knee, and why those? Would you operate if this were your dog? A clinic that answers those four plainly has probably earned the booking. If any answer is vague, that is exactly what an independent opinion is for.

Still deciding? It costs nothing to ask.

Send the case, hear back from a surgeon with what they can do and what it costs, and only pay if you go ahead.

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Common questions

My dog still skips occasionally after surgery. Failure?

Not necessarily. A rare, brief skip with no lameness can persist, particularly after high grade corrections. Frequent skipping or returning lameness deserves imaging and review, ideally by the operating surgeon first.

Is grade 4 fixable at all?

Usually yes, but it is bigger surgery, sometimes staged, and the outcome ceiling is lower than a grade 2 fixed early. This is the strongest argument against letting a symptomatic knee drift for years.

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