A stifle distractor is a medical instrument used in veterinary medicine to examine or treat the stifle joint in animals. The stifle joint, also known as the knee joint, is the joint in the hind leg between the femur and tibia bones.

A stifle distractor is used to manually manipulate the stifle joint and create space between the bones in order to examine the joint or perform surgical procedures. The distractor consists of two arms with blunt tips that are inserted into the joint space and gently spread apart to distract the joint.

The use of a stifle distractor allows veterinarians to better visualize the joint and any abnormalities or injuries, such as ligament tears or joint effusion. It can also be used during surgical procedures, such as cruciate ligament repair or removal of bone fragments, to provide better access to the joint and allow for more precise and controlled manipulation of the bones.

Overall, a stifle distractor is a valuable tool in veterinary medicine for examining and treating the stifle joint in animals.