Author: Okilaraamc (Medical Staff)
This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Service Act.
Dog Patellar Luxation Surgery Costs in Siheung — Here's the Bottom Line First
"How much will the surgery cost?" — This is the first information pet parents seek after receiving a patellar luxation diagnosis. To put it simply, as of 2025, surgery costs for one leg range from approximately 800,000 to 3 million won or more, with quite a wide range.
According to related clinical data, primary animal clinics typically charge between 800,000 and 1.5 million won, while orthopedic specialty medical centers charge between 1.5 million and 3 million won or more. This difference is not just about hospital size. Patellar luxation surgery does not have a fixed price. The final total cost varies greatly depending on whether pre-anesthesia blood tests, radiographic examinations, hospitalization fees, post-operative care, and rehabilitation costs are included.
When comparing estimates, it is important to check what items are included in the quote by breaking it down item by item.
✔ Key Summary: 800,000 to 3 million won or more per leg; total cost varies depending on inclusion of examinations, hospitalization, and rehabilitation → item-by-item estimate verification is essential
What is Patellar Luxation? Symptoms by Grade and When Surgery is Needed
Patellar luxation is a condition where the kneecap (patella) dislocates from its normal position. According to clinical data, medial luxation (MPL), where the kneecap slips inward, is most common in small breeds, with high congenital occurrence in small breed types such as Maltese, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, and Bichon Frise.
Luxation is classified into grades 1-4, with symptoms and recommended interventions varying by grade.
| Grade | Main Symptoms | Surgery Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Intermittent lameness, spontaneous reduction possible | Observation (conservative treatment first) |
| Grade 2 | Increased lameness frequency, reduction requires manual manipulation | Surgery considered depending on condition |
| Grade 3 | Constant luxation, obvious walking difficulty | Surgery strongly recommended |
| Grade 4 | Complete luxation, inability to walk, extreme pain | Surgery necessary |
According to related clinical data, surgery is recommended from grade 3 onward. If left untreated, it can lead to secondary complications such as cartilage damage, anterior cruciate ligament rupture, and hip joint damage, so early detection and appropriate intervention timing are important for prognosis.
Criteria for Determining Patellar Luxation Surgery at Okilaraamc
Patellar luxation surgery is not simply about returning the dislocated bone to its place. According to related clinical data, it is a complex surgical procedure applying combined correction methods such as trochlear groove plasty, tibial tuberosity transposition, and capsular plication, with the surgical composition varying for each animal depending on luxation grade, bone shape, and ligament condition.
The general pre-surgical examination procedure for surgery determination is as follows:
• Radiographic examination — Confirms bone structure, luxation direction and degree, tibial torsion angle
• Blood test — Evaluates overall health status before anesthesia, identifies underlying conditions
• Physical examination — Assesses ease of patellar reduction, ligament tension, walking pattern
• Additional imaging tests — Confirms soft tissue condition with ultrasound if needed
• Surgical method determination — Selects optimal correction method for each individual based on above results
Okilaraamc, a 24-hour specialty orthopedic and diagnostic imaging medical center, carefully understands the pet's condition through pre-operative radiographic and blood tests before determining the surgical direction. Through a continuous care system including post-operative progress monitoring, we support pet parents so they don't feel anxious.
Be Careful If This Applies to You — Self-Check & Nearby Area Information
If you observe the following behaviors in your pet, it is recommended to seek orthopedic examination without delay.
• Walking on three legs holding up one hind leg
• Suddenly lifting one leg while walking and using it again after a brief moment (intermittent lameness)
• Suddenly refusing or hesitating to go up and down stairs
• Sitting posture is awkward or hind legs are extended to the side
• Making a cry when landing after jumping with hind legs (small breed)
• Hind leg muscles noticeably thinning
According to related clinical data, recovery after surgery requires 6-8 weeks of activity restriction as a baseline, and slippery floors, jumping, and climbing on and off sofas must be avoided during this period. Research from K-Health also reports that concurrent step-by-step rehabilitation treatments such as cold compress, passive joint movement, and strength recovery exercises have a positive impact on recovery speed.
Prognosis is better with earlier detection and intervention, so prompt examination is important if symptoms are suspected.
Pet parents living in areas near Siheung such as Bucheon patellar luxation, Gwangmyeong dog surgery, and Ansan animal hospital orthopedics can also receive examination at orthopedic specialty medical centers.
If You're Curious About What's Right for You, Find Out Through Consultation
If you're curious about what's right for you, find out through consultation at Okilaraamc, which operates 24 hours.
Surgery costs are difficult to finalize based on online information alone due to many individual variables such as luxation grade, bilateral or unilateral nature, and presence of underlying conditions. According to related clinical data, when surgery is needed on both legs, costs may be 1.8 to 2 times higher, and when rehabilitation treatment costs are considered, overall care costs may vary.
Specific matters such as surgery costs, examination items, recovery period, and life management methods can be explained accurately after directly confirming your pet's condition through in-person consultation. All pet parents in the Siheung and Bucheon area are welcome to inquire.
You're Probably Wondering About These Things
Q1. What items are included in patellar luxation surgery costs?
In addition to the surgery cost itself, pre-anesthesia blood test, radiographic examination fees, anesthesia fee, hospitalization fee (typically 2-5 days), and post-operative medication and dressing fees may be charged separately. Since what is included in "surgery cost" varies by hospital, it is good to check the quote broken down by item.
Q2. Do I need surgery even if my dog is grade 1-2?
For grades 1-2, conservative treatment (weight management, exercise restriction, joint supplements, etc.) is often tried first. However, if grade 2 symptoms repeat frequently or walking difficulty is worsening, surgery can be considered. Rather than deciding by grade alone, it is important for a specialist veterinarian to directly evaluate your pet's overall condition before deciding.
Q3. How long is the recovery period after surgery?
Activity must be strictly restricted for at least 6-8 weeks after surgery, and slippery floors, jumping, and climbing on and off sofas must be avoided throughout this period. After that, hind leg strength is recovered through step-by-step rehabilitation exercises, and complete return to normal life may take about 3-4 months. The period may vary depending on your pet's recovery speed.
Q4. Can patellar luxation surgery costs be covered by pet insurance?
Depending on the pet insurance product, part of surgery costs, hospitalization fees, and outpatient treatment costs can be covered. However, coverage scope varies greatly depending on insurance enrollment timing, product type, waiting period, and whether congenital conditions are excluded. If your pet has already been diagnosed, enrollment may be restricted, so it is advantageous to enroll in advance while healthy.
ℹ️ Treatment effects vary from individual to individual. Please decide after consulting with a specialist.