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Veterinary surgery : VS2020; 49(7); 1326-1333; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13487

Arthroscopic approach and intra-articular anatomy of the equine discomandibular joint compartment of the temporomandibular joint.

Abstract: To develop an arthroscopic approach to the discomandibular joint (DMJ), the ventral compartment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of the horse. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Nine cadaveric equine heads and two live horses. Methods: A 2.5-mm 30° arthroscope was used to explore the DMJ after joint distension. The first portal was created caudally, allowing placement of a rostral portal under visual guidance. Nasotracheal intubation of the live horses allowed mandibular manipulation, which is required for complete visualization of the joint. Results: A novel injection technique allowed consistent arthrocentesis of the DMJ. The joint could be completely explored by using both portals and manipulation of the mandible. Variations in the medial joint capsule were observed between horses along with a cyst of the mandibular condyle in one horse. The only complication consisted of damage to the parotid salivary gland, which occurred in three cadaver heads. No communication was found between the joint compartments of the TMJ. Conclusions: Correct portal placement and intraoperative manipulation of the mandible were critical and allowed complete exploration and debridement of the DMJ. Conclusions: Determining the independence of the TMJ joint compartments has clinical ramifications for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders. Most TMJ pathology, notwithstanding sepsis, is identified within the DMJ. Arthroscopic exploration of the DMJ is possible and may help manage these conditions.
© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2020-07-07 PubMed ID: 32633420DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13487Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article presents a new arthroscopic approach to examine and treat the discomandibular joint (DMJ), a lower section of the equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The study was carried out on nine cadaver horse heads and two live horses, revealing that arthroscopic exploration of the DMJ is feasible and can be critical for identifying and managing equine TMJ disorders.

Methods

  • In this experimental investigation, a 2.5-mm 30° arthroscope, a small tube-like instrument with a camera, was used to explore the discomandibular joint (DMJ) after joint distension, a process of inflating the joint for better visibility.
  • Two portals or entry points were created to access the DMJ. The first portal was made caudally (towards the tail) which then facilitated the placement of a rostral (towards the head) portal under visual guidance.
  • The live horses were nasotracheally intubated, meaning a tube was inserted through the nose into the trachea. This facilitated mandibular manipulation, which is necessary for full visualization of the joint.

Results

  • The researchers developed a new injection technique that allowed consistent arthrocentesis, the puncture and aspiration of the DMJ.
  • By using both portals and manipulating the mandible, the researchers were able to fully explore the joint.
  • They observed variations in the medial joint capsule between different horses and noted the presence of a cyst on the mandibular condyle in one horse.
  • Unfortunately, there was some damage to the parotid salivary gland in three cadaver heads, highlighting risks associated with the technique.
  • The study also found no communication between the joint compartments of the TMJ, meaning each compartment functioned independently.

Conclusions

  • The results suggest that correct placement of the portals and manipulation of the mandible during operation are critical for fully examining and cleaning the DMJ.
  • The finding that the joint compartments of the TMJ function independently is clinically significant. It aids in the diagnosis and treatment of joint disorders since most TMJ pathology, barring instances of sepsis, were identified within the DMJ.
  • The research underscores the importance of arthroscopic exploration of the discomandibular joint (DMJ), as it has shown to be possible and beneficial in managing equine TMJ conditions.

Cite This Article

APA
Carmalt JL, Tucker ML. (2020). Arthroscopic approach and intra-articular anatomy of the equine discomandibular joint compartment of the temporomandibular joint. Vet Surg, 49(7), 1326-1333. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13487

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 7
Pages: 1326-1333

Researcher Affiliations

Carmalt, James L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Tucker, Michelle L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arthroscopy / methods
  • Arthroscopy / veterinary
  • Cadaver
  • Horses / surgery
  • Temporomandibular Joint / surgery

References

This article includes 13 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Arzi B, Goldschmidt S, Chrostek E, Duong MV, Filliquist B, Chou PY. A needle arthroscopy approach to the temporomandibular joints in dogs. Front Vet Sci 2026;13:1760965.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1760965pubmed: 41684384google scholar: lookup
  2. Jasiński T, Turek B, Kaczorowski M, Brehm W, Skierbiszewska K, Domino M. Equine temporomandibular joint diseases: A systematic review. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1427-1445.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14462pubmed: 39861936google scholar: lookup
  3. Quadflieg I, Volk HA, Sake B, Metje B. Morphological and morphometric measurement of the temporomandibular joint of small and medium-weight dogs with different skull shapes. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1407761.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1407761pubmed: 38784652google scholar: lookup
  4. Quadflieg I, Ordobazari J, Lüpke M, Freise F, Volk HA, Metje B. Development and Validation of an Examination Protocol for Arthroscopic Evaluation of the Temporomandibular Joint in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 29;14(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14091338pubmed: 38731342google scholar: lookup
  5. Kim CS, Reisbig NA, Carmalt JL. Contrast arthrography of the equine temporomandibular joint. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1368131.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1368131pubmed: 38562918google scholar: lookup
  6. White SA, Canada NC, Carmalt JL, Schumacher J, Amitrano FN, Ortved K, Henry TJ, Brounts SH, Arnold CE. Long-Term Outcome of Horses Undergoing Unilateral Mandibular Condylectomy and Meniscectomy for Temporomandibular Joint Disease. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:898096.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.898096pubmed: 35585863google scholar: lookup
  7. Carmalt JL, Pimentel KL. The Equine Temporomandibular Joint: Comparisons Between Standard and Needle Arthroscopic Examination of Cadaver Specimens and Standing Horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:876041.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.876041pubmed: 35558885google scholar: lookup
  8. Pimentel KL, Carmalt JL. The Frequency of Communication Between the Synovial Compartments of the Equine Temporomandibular Joint: A Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomographic Assessment. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:753983.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.753983pubmed: 34760960google scholar: lookup
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