Trochlear recession is a surgical technique for stabilizing luxating patellas by recessing the trochlear sulcus 1 to 2 mm. The smooth hyaline cartilage of the articulating trochlear surface is preserved. This technique has provided excellent results in 41 stifles of 28 dogs, as determined by a 6-month to 6-year follow-up, with an average follow-up period of 3.2 years.