A comparative and translational review of therapeutic interventions and prognostic outcomes in human and equine knee disorders

Background Locomotion and joint stability are vital for humans and equines. The equine stifle (femorotibiopatellar joint) shares significant anatomical and functional homologies with the human knee, making it a highly relevant translational model for orthopedic research, particularly concerning osteoarthritis and soft tissue injuries. This review aims to compare the anatomical, biomechanical, pathophysiological, and therapeutic aspects of the human knee and equine stifle to identify convergent prognostic patterns and translational opportunities. Methods The present study analyzed clinical and experimental studies published between 2015 and 2025 across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. Results Despite distinct biomechanical demands, human bipedalism versus equine quadrupedalism in constant semi-flexion, both joints exhibit striking anatomical similarities. Equine articular cartilage closely mimics human metrics, validating its robust use in experimental models. Pathologically, both species suffer from catastrophic ligamentous and meniscal injuries that precipitate osteoarthritis. Therapeutically, surgical interventions and emerging biological treatments demonstrate convergent prognostic relevance, though clinical translation must account for differences in subchondral bone density. Conclusions The structural parallelism between the human knee and equine stifle underscores the reciprocal benefits of comparative orthopedics. Overcoming the current scarcity of standardized, direct cross-species trials will be crucial for advancing regenerative joint therapies in both human and veterinary medicine.