Patellar Luxation - Simple and Advanced [April 2026 | Park City Campus]
Includes a Live In-Person Event on 04/11/2026 at 8:00 AM (MDT)
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Register
- Technician / Assistant - $250
- Veterinarian - $2,550
Medial patellar luxation (MPL) is a common orthopedic problem in dogs and cats. Successful treatment of these conditions requires accurate diagnosis and assessment. This course will provide up-to-date information on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of patellar luxation.
Lectures and labs will emphasize techniques that can readily be performed in practice. The course includes surgical treatment of MPL using 3 different types of trochleoplasty, tibial tuberosity transposition, soft tissue balancing techniques and a discussion on when corrective osteotomy may be needed. Participants will also learn how to treat CrCL in patients having concomitant MPL using a novel extracapsular ligament system. Following lecture and case review, participants will perform all these different techniques on cadavers and plastic bone models.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the mechanism of patellar luxation
- Learn diagnostic techniques to make surgical decisions and plan
- Learn basic surgical techniques for uncomplicated MPL be deepening the trochlear groove and aligning the quadriceps mechanism using a tibial tuberosity transposition
- Learn how to perform a medial retinacular release and a lateral imbrication to balance soft tissue tension on the patella.
- Learn how to perform a distal femoral osteotomy (DFO)
- Learn how to place an isometric lateral prosthetic ligament to treat concomitant MPL and CCL tears
Participants are encouraged to invite a technician/assistant to join them for the course. Develop your surgical team when you train alongside each other to perform new procedures. Technicians/Assistants must be registered for the same product as their respective veterinarian in order to attend the course.
Day 1
8:00 Welcome and introduction8:10 Understanding the mechanism of patellar luxation
8:35 Diagnostic steps for patellar luxation
9:00 Break
9:20 Decision-making for MPL – when and what to correct
9:40 Treating the shallow trochlear groove
10:15 Laboratory 1- Trochleoplasty – cadaver - Trochlear block (TBR) or wedge recession (TWR)
12:15 Lunch
1:00 Tibial Tuberosity Transposition
1:30 Soft tissue balancing
2:00 Laboratory 3- TTT – plastic bone and cadaver
3:30 Laboratory 4 – Release incision and imbrication - cadaver
4:30 End of Day
Day 2
8:00 Review of Radiographs from Day 1
8:30 Osteotomy for patellar luxation – When and How?
9:00 Break
9:15 MPL and concurrent CrCL tears – how to handle
10:00 Laboratory 5 – DFO – cadaver
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Laboratory 6 – Extracapsular CCL/MPL repair – cadaver
3:30 Complications
4:00 End of Course
Caleb Hudson
DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, ACVS Founding Fellow (Minimally-Invasive Surgery)
Dr. Hudson grew up in southern Missouri on a small farm and developed a strong interest in caring for animals through the practical application of science. While in veterinary school at the University of Missouri he gained a fascination with veterinary surgery and after graduation in 2007 moved to Gainesville, Florida to complete a rotating internship followed by a small animal surgery residency at the University of Florida.
Post residency, he stayed on Faculty at the University of Florida until 2013 when he moved to Texas to work in private practice. Dr. Hudson strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for his surgical patients but is also passionate about clinical research, which leads to the development of new surgical techniques and devotes a large portion of his time to teaching other veterinarians to do surgery more effectively.
He travels, both in the United States and around the world, to speak about orthopedic surgical techniques. In recognition of his surgical, research and teaching accomplishments, Dr. Hudson was awarded Founding Fellow status in Minimally Invasive Surgery (Small Animal Orthopedics) by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2021.
Javier Avendano
DVM, DACVS-SA
H-Town Veterinary Specialists
Dr. Javier Avendano brings a remarkable expertise and a passion for orthopedic surgery to H-Town Veterinary Specialists, a specialty practice in Houston, TX. Born in Santiago, Chile, and raised in Plymouth, Minnesota, Dr. Avendano's blend of surgical expertise, compassion, and love for animals makes him a valuable addition to the veterinary community. While Dr. Avendano enjoys all aspects of surgery, his professional expertise lies in orthopedic procedures.
After earning his bachelor's degree in Biology, Society, and Environment from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Avendano pursued his veterinary education at St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. His dedication to surgical excellence led him to complete a rotating internship at Mississippi State University followed by a surgical internship at VCA Hollywood in Florida. Dr. Avendano then undertook his surgical residency at Veterinary Surgical Centers in northern Virginia, culminating in his board certification in 2024.
Jeff Biskup
DVM, DACVS
Animal Health Partners, Toronto
Dr. James earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia in 2003, after earning a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin. After completing his veterinary degree, Dr. James became a boarded veterinary surgeon and Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. His career has encompassed general practice, emergency and critical care, rehabilitation therapy, and extensive soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.
Currently, Dr. James serves as a surgeon at multiple referral centers in Indiana, Texas and Alaska.
This unique facility is nestled on 1.4-acres in the quaint mountain town of Park City and is home to the Bark City Veterinary Specialists practice and Nexus Park City. The property has been newly renovated but retains its rustic mountain charm. Bark City is home to the renowned veterinary orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Brian Beale.
Included in Your Experience
When participating in a course at Nexus Park City, you can expect the following amenities to be included.
- Complimentary lunch
- All general/specialty instrumentation used in each course
- Instructor’s course notes
Visit Us 5373 UT-224, Park City, UT 84098
Call Us 435.200.2161
Email Us ce@nexus.vet