Understanding Biomechanics Of The Stifle

The femorotibiopatelar region is directly related to the pelvis. All of the gluteal and femoral muscles, 14 ligaments, 2 meniscus, 3 joints and its innervation (Direct innervation: Femoral/gluteal nerve and caudal/ obturator nerve; Indirect Innervation: sciatic nerve) makes this a complex area in terms of biomechanics but also very exciting to study.

The biomechanical mechanisms of this region have been well described and can easily help understanding the different pathologies of this part of the body.

The hind limb reciprocal apparatus is part of the biomechanical mechanism of this region where the femorotibiopatelar joint maximizes its efficiency spending less energy. The flexion of the femorotibiopatelar and coxofemoral joints induce simultaneously the flexion of the tarsal and fetlock joints. The opposite movement of extension of the limb is also a combined and balanced action of both peroneus tertius and superficial digital flexor muscles.

The capacity to extend the femorotibiopatelar joint by the stay apparatus, the dorsal locking and unlocking of the patella by the proximal traction of the quadriceps femoris muscle, the medial rotation caused by the sartorius muscle, the lateral rotation action of the gluteus femoris muscle over the patella, the caudal movement of the meniscus during femorotibial joint flexion, the understanding of the coxofemoral luxation as a consequence of an untreated upward fixation of the patella, the cranial meniscotibial ligament desmopathy and many others can only be fully understood by knowing well the biomechanics of the femorotibiopatelar region.