The present work was conducted on a total of 66 donkeys varied in age from one day to four years old. They were used for radiographic description of the normal ossification centers in the stifle joint and their ossification times. The investigation revealed that the stifle ossification centers are, distal metaphysis & epiphysis of the femur, the proximal epiphysis, metaphysis of the tibia and apophysis of the tibia and that of the patella.
The joint spaces appeared more wider in young than that of adult donkeys. The distal femoral epiphysis and the patellar articular surface were observed smooth with disappearance of granular subchondral bone opacity at 6 months of age. The lateral and medial trochlear ridges of the femurĀ are similar in size at one day old then the medial .One increased in height at one month old and fixed at six months of age.
The proximal tibial epiphysis was observed smooth with disappearance of the granular subchondral bone opacity at 9 months. The distal femoral metaphysis was fused gradually starting at middle third at 9 months followed by the planter third at 12 months and finally the dorsal third at 24 months of age. The proximal tibial metaphysis was ossified gradually starting at the middle third at 12 months followed by the dorsal third at 18 months and finally the planter third at 24 months of age. The apophyseal center of the dorsal tibial tuberosity was closed gradually and began firstly at middle third at 12 months followed by proximal third at 18 month
and finally the distal third at 36 months of age. Fusion of both the distal femoral metaphysis an. apophysis of the tibial tuberosity were indicate by presence of radio-opaque lines which disappeared completely at 30 months and 42 months age respectively