June 13, 2015 - Lameness

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Stifle Injuries Pose a Treatment Challenge

by Heather Smith Thomas

The stifle is a large, complex joint composed of three bones, two menisci (crescent-shaped discs of fibro-cartilage attached to the joint surface), and 14 ligaments. It is actually three joints. One is between the femur (the large bone from stifle to hip) and the patella (similar to the human kneecap) at the front of the stifle. The other two joints are between the femur and the tibia (the bone from stifle to hock), one on the inside (medial) and the other on the outside (lateral). All of these joint compartments are filled with lubricating fluid.

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