stifle

The stifle is the knee joint of many quadruped mammals, notably horses, cattle, and dogs. In veterinary anatomy it designates the complex articulation between the femur and the tibia, with the patella enclosed within the quadriceps tendon. The stifle comprises the femoropatellar joint and the femorotibial joints, and it is stabilized by several ligaments, including the medial and lateral collateral ligaments and the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments. The joint is reinforced by menisci that cushion the articular surfaces. Movement is primarily flexion and extension, with limited rotation, and it bears substantial weight during locomotion. The human knee is analogous in function, but the term stifle is not typically used for human anatomy.

Clinical relevance: In veterinary practice, stifle disorders are a common source of lameness in performance horses and dogs. Conditions may include joint effusion, osteoarthritis, meniscal injuries, cruciate ligament rupture, patellar luxation, and other degenerative or traumatic injuries. Diagnosis uses physical examination, imaging (radiography, ultrasound, and sometimes MRI), and sometimes arthroscopy. Treatments vary by condition and may involve rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, intra-articular injections, or surgical repair or stabilization, including cruciate reconstruction or meniscal procedures. Outcomes depend on severity, timing of intervention, and the rehabilitation plan.

Verb and usage: As a verb, to stifle means to suppress, restrain, or suffocate. It can refer to stifling a protest, stifling a cough, or stifling dissent. The word derives from Old English and has long carried senses of constriction and suppression.