Last Updated on January 18, 2026 by Denise Leo
Learn about success rates for patella surgery in Pomeranians, including recovery expectations, treatment options, and outcomes—expert guidance to help owners understand luxating patella care and make informed decisions for their dog’s health.
In this article, Pomeranian breed authority Denise Leo, together with resident veterinarian Dr. Muqeet Mushtaq (DVM, MSc Animal Breeding & Genetics), explains the success rates of luxating patella surgery in Pomeranians, what factors influence recovery, and what owners can realistically expect after the procedure. Our goal is to provide clear, trustworthy, and balanced information to help you make informed decisions about your Pomeranian’s long-term health and mobility.
It’s common for dogs to be susceptible to joint problems, especially with the hips and knees. Pomeranians fall into this category, so all owners of this breed need to be aware of the risks, possibilities, choices, and potential outcomes, including the statistics and success rates related to luxating patella surgery in Pomeranians.
Two questions owners of Pomeranians have are:
- Whether surgery is regarded as the only viable choice.
- Will surgery really fix the problem?
If you own a Pomeranian, it’s essential to understand this physical issue. The knee tends to rotate and slip; a luxating patella occurs when the kneecap (patella) moves out of its usual position, causing the dog to suffer unnecessary pain. If your Pom has a luxating patella, he will experience difficulty walking, jumping, and running. You may need to assist him with certain activities.
This condition also prevents your Pomeranian from playing with you or other dogs, as it fears experiencing more pain and further damage. Because of this, you should consult your veterinarian about urgent treatment. Understanding the success rate of luxating patella surgery is a vital piece of information that can help you decide on the best course of action.
Pomeranian Patella Luxation Facts
Every small dog breed is regarded as a high-risk dog when you’re talking about kneecap and other knee joint issues. It often creeps up on you because your pet Pom may not exhibit any indicators (such as pain and/or stiffness) until the first day, when symptoms become apparent. The ideal approach is to be aware of this risk, but not to overreact and hinder your dog from enjoying its usual activities.
Monitor your Pom’s behavior and ensure the vet checks his knees during a regular check-up. If he doesn’t have trouble moving and has no pain, let him enjoy life with you and others in the household. When you’re playing or taking him for walks, pay close attention if you notice even a fleeting moment of pain or stiffness, before it disappears once more.
Pomeranian Luxating Patella Symptoms
There are some basic indicators. For example, your Pom may be running or walking in the same way he always does, and then suddenly add a little hop or skip that appears a bit odd. Your Pomeranian may seem hesitant, but then he moves normally once more.
If this only happens once and resolves itself, watch him closer and organize a check-up with the vet. If he has a luxating patella, his movement changes will likely keep happening, and his pain will be much more obvious. This can adversely affect the success of the luxating patella surgery.
One small hop is a sign that your Pomeranian’s kneecap has slid out of its proper space because he holds his leg up momentarily to ease the discomfort. The patella might slide straight back in again, and that makes your excited Pom want to get going again. A bigger sign could happen immediately, or it might take time. If he pauses and emits a cry or yelp, it’s certainly time for a trip to the vet.
Diagnosing a Luxating Patella
The vet will start by observing him in motion. Your kneecap sits on your leg in the same way that your Pomeranian’s sits on his legs. The kneecap keeps the thigh muscles moving smoothly, and the ridges of the patella enable the kneecap to keep sliding for a correct movement in a knee joint that’s mechanically sound. It’s common for the patellar ridge of a Pomeranian to be very flat.
It’s simple for a Pomeranian’s kneecap to pop out or in, and it will often slide back into position on its own when it initially occurs. If the vet advises you that your Pomeranian has a luxating patella, he’ll most likely reveal the severity of the problem. In most cases, the vet can identify the correct grade (ranging from 1 to 4), with the higher the number, the greater the severity. 0 means no luxating patella was diagnosed at this examination.
- Grade 1 is mild, and most of the time the problem will resolve itself.
- Grade 2 is a little more complicated. Sometimes your Pomeranian’s kneecap will slip back into its proper spot without help. However, there will be times when it becomes stuck and requires manual repositioning, after which it should remain in place for a while.
- Grade 3 is applicable when your Pom’s kneecap pops out of alignment and can be repositioned manually, but it won’t remain in place for long.
- Grade 4 is applied to a Pomeranian with a patella that is always out of place. Knowing the correct grade will help determine the success of the luxating patella surgery for your Pom.
Success Rate of Luxating Patella Surgery
Numerous vets suggest surgery at all levels. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the correct option, especially if your Pomeranian is only Grade 1, and there may be other solutions.
If he’s carrying extra weight and/or there haven’t been any discussions for alternative therapies, consider physical therapy and weight loss options. If your Pom is regarded as a strong candidate for surgery, it’s in your best interest to know the rate of success and the level of improvement that is considered a success.
The two most common surgical procedures are:
A deepening of the trochlear wedge, where the surgeon creates a deeper “container” so the kneecap has extra room to remain in place. The other part of this surgery involves the surgeon tightening the joint capsule, which is often a key element in ensuring the success rate of luxating patella surgery.
Approximately 10% of Poms don’t demonstrate much improvement, which is why it’s essential to know the success rate before starting. This is why you need to know that, despite the chances being minimal, it’s still knowledge you need to possess.
Every surgery carries risks, whether it’s performed on people or dogs. Risks may include anaesthetic and/or infections that can occur after surgery.
The positive news is that if surgery is carried out before the condition has progressed, and your Pomeranian is still reasonably young and healthy, the success rate improves dramatically. Many Pomeranians live long, healthy lives, relatively free from pain, while others require more surgeries to continue improving.
Increase Your Odds of a High Surgery Success Rate
Never feel nervous or scared about asking all the questions you want. Get all the different opinions as well. Check the background of the surgeon. Learn all you can about the success rate of the luxating patella surgery procedure. Check that the vet or orthopaedic surgeon you use is board-certified and that the person can show you proof (customer records) of plenty of successful surgical procedures.
If your Pomeranian’s health is more advanced, and he has other health concerns as well, ask me an even longer list of questions. Unless he’s busy, no genuine vet or surgeon would refuse to answer questions.
The vet should be able to provide you with more information that you may not have even considered. For example, would the success rate of your Pomeranian’s luxating patella surgery be adversely affected by hip problems, arthritis, age, or anything else?
If the doctor or veterinarian appears confused or uncomfortable with the questions you’re asking, it would be wise to explore other potential options. After all, you want to build a long-term relationship with this person, and the results you and your Pomeranian would get will be much higher with a confident, more experienced surgeon/vet, rather than one who is very nervous about something.
Please Note: While I discuss Pomeranian health, care, and behaviour, the information provided is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns about your Pomeranian’s well-being, always consult your regular veterinarian—or, if you don’t yet have one, a trusted local vet. Never delay or disregard professional guidance based on something you have read online. Your vet should always be your primary source of medical advice for your dog.
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References and Further Reading:
[1] ANKC Pomeranian Breed Standard.
[2] Denise Leo, “The Pomeranian Handbook”.
The Pomeranian Handbook:
