Does pet insurance cover luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) treatment?

Yes — luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) is covered by every major pet insurance carrier (Healthy Paws, Trupanion, Embrace, Spot, Lemonade, Pets Best, ASPCA, Figo) as a standard illness, provided it was not diagnosed or symptomatic before your policy's effective date and the waiting period has cleared. Luxating patella is covered by most pet insurance carriers as a hereditary/orthopedic condition. Some carriers impose 6–12 month waiting periods for orthopedic conditions. Healthy Paws covers luxating patella surgery after the sta…

How much does luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) treatment cost without insurance?

Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap) treatment typically costs $1,500–$5,000 per knee out of pocket without insurance. Surgical correction sits at the top of that range, while conservative management (weight control, anti-inflammatories, rehab) sits at the lower end. With pet insurance, you typically pay only the deductible plus 10–30% coinsurance after reimbursement.

Is luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) considered a pre-existing condition?

Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap) becomes a pre-existing condition — and is permanently excluded — if it was diagnosed, symptomatic, or treated before your policy's effective date or during the waiting period. Most carriers (Healthy Paws, Trupanion, Embrace, Spot, Pets Best, ASPCA) treat it as permanently pre-existing once documented in vet records. The single best protection is enrolling while your dog is healthy and asymptomatic — ideally as a puppy before any vet visits create a paper trail.

Which pet insurance is best for luxating patella (dislocating kneecap)?

For luxating patella (dislocating kneecap), the strongest picks are Healthy Paws (unlimited annual and lifetime payouts — important when treatment runs $1,500–$5,000 per knee), Trupanion (per-condition lifetime deductible, so you pay it once for luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) and never again), and Embrace or Pets Best for value-tier capped plans. Avoid carriers with hard hereditary/orthopedic exclusions or unwaivable 12-month orthopedic waits.

Are there waiting periods for luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) coverage?

Most carriers apply a 14- to 15-day illness waiting period, but luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) as an orthopedic condition triggers an additional 6-month orthopedic waiting period at Embrace, Spot, ASPCA, and Pets Best. That orthopedic wait can usually be reduced to 14 days by submitting a vet-completed orthopedic exam waiver at enrollment. Healthy Paws and Trupanion have no separate orthopedic waiting period beyond their standard waits.

Condition Guide

Pet Insurance for Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap)

Q: What breeds are most at risk for luxating patella (dislocating kneecap)?

Breeds at highest risk for luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) include Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, and others (Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Maltese, Pug). Overall prevalence: affects approximately 7% of all puppies; up to 20% in small breeds. Because luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) has a strong hereditary component in these breeds, enrolling in pet insurance before any symptoms appear is essential — once diagnosed, it becomes a permanent pre-existing exclusion.

Last updated: March 2026|Reviewed by Mike (AAI, PRC, SBCS, CCIC)|2 min read

Treatment Cost

$1,500–$5,000 per knee

Affected Breeds

8+ breeds

Prevalence

Affects approximately 7% of all puppies; up to 20% in small breeds

What is Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap)?

Luxating patella is a condition where the kneecap (patella) slides out of its normal groove in the femur, causing intermittent lameness and pain. It is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in small-breed dogs and is graded from 1 (mild, occasional luxation) to 4 (severe, permanent luxation). While Grade 1–2 cases may be managed conservatively, Grade 3–4 typically require surgical correction to prevent progressive joint damage and arthritis.

Symptoms

Intermittent skipping or hopping on one hind legSudden leg-lifting while walking that resolves on its ownReluctance to jump or climb stairsBow-legged or knock-kneed stanceCracking or popping sound from the kneeStiffness after rest

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis is made through physical examination — the veterinarian can manually luxate and reduce the patella and assign a grade (1–4). X-rays assess the degree of bone deformity, groove depth, and secondary arthritic changes. Advanced imaging (CT) may be used for surgical planning in complex cases.

Grade 1: monitoring and weight management. Grade 2: may benefit from surgery if causing frequent lameness. Grade 3–4: surgical correction is recommended. Surgical techniques include deepening the femoral groove (trochleoplasty), realigning the tibial crest (tibial tuberosity transposition), and tightening the joint capsule. Surgery costs $1,500–$5,000 per knee with a success rate of 90%+. Physical rehabilitation accelerates recovery.

Breeds at Risk

Yorkshire TerrierPomeranianChihuahuaFrench BulldogBoston TerrierCavalier King Charles SpanielMaltesePug

Insurance Coverage for Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap)

Luxating patella is covered by most pet insurance carriers as a hereditary/orthopedic condition. Some carriers impose 6–12 month waiting periods for orthopedic conditions. Healthy Paws covers luxating patella surgery after the standard 15-day waiting period. Given that bilateral luxation is common (affecting both knees), unlimited coverage is important.

Prevention Tips

Luxating patella is primarily genetic and cannot be prevented. Choose breeders who screen for orthopedic conditions. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the knee joints. Provide good traction on floors (rugs on hardwood) to prevent slipping. Regular, moderate exercise strengthens the muscles that support the knee. Avoid breeding affected dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about insurance coverage and treatment for Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap).

Mike

Licensed Insurance Professional (AAI, PRC, SBCS, CCIC)

Expert Take: Insuring Against Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap)

Luxating patella is the small-breed orthopedic condition I see most often, and it is heavily underwritten because it is hereditary. Yorkies, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Cavaliers, and Maltese are the highest-risk breeds, and surgical correction runs $1,500–$5,000 per knee — frequently bilateral, taking the total to $3,000–$10,000 across two surgeries.

For an orthopedic hereditary condition, the carrier choice is similar to hip dysplasia. Healthy Paws is my top pick — they cover hereditary conditions from day one of an active policy, no separate orthopedic wait, unlimited annual and lifetime payouts. Trupanion's per-condition lifetime deductible is the other strong play: meet it once for "luxating patella," and the second knee, all the rehab, and any post-surgical complications are covered at 90% for life. Avoid Embrace, Spot, ASPCA, and Pets Best unless you submit the orthopedic exam waiver at enrollment — that 6-month orthopedic wait at value carriers gets misapplied to bilateral claims constantly.

The pre-existing trap on luxating patella is particularly tricky because vets frequently grade it (Grade I–IV) at routine puppy visits, often as an incidental finding. Even a "Grade I luxation, asymptomatic" note at the spay/neuter visit will become permanent exclusion. Enroll small breeds — especially Yorkies and Pomeranians — at the very first vet visit, before the first orthopedic palpation. The cost reality: bilateral patella surgery plus rehab is $4,000–$8,000 out of pocket; with insurance and a $500 deductible at 90% reimbursement, you pay roughly $1,000–$1,500 total.

Protect Against Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap)

Get coverage that includes Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap) treatment with our top-rated carrier.

Get a Free Healthy Paws Quote

Related to Luxating Patella (Dislocating Kneecap)

Breed Guide

Yorkshire Terrier Insurance Guide

Moderate risk. Common conditions: Dental Disease, Luxating Patella

Breed Guide

Pomeranian Insurance Guide

Moderate risk. Common conditions: Luxating Patella, Collapsed Trachea

Breed Guide

Chihuahua Insurance Guide

Moderate risk. Common conditions: Dental Disease, Luxating Patella

Review

Healthy Paws Review

Rated 4.5/5. Unlimited coverage with no payout caps

Review

Lemonade Review

Rated 4.2/5. Affordable premiums with fast AI claims

Condition

Hip Dysplasia Coverage Guide

Treatment costs $1,500–$12,000. Affects approximately 15–20% of all dogs; up to 70% in high-risk breeds prevalence.