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Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 9; 876041; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.876041

The Equine Temporomandibular Joint: Comparisons Between Standard and Needle Arthroscopic Examination of Cadaver Specimens and Standing Horses.

Abstract: Definitive diagnosis of equine temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) may require advanced diagnostic imaging. Arthroscopy is a modern, minimally invasive, diagnostic, and treatment modality. Standing arthroscopic treatment of joint disease is a relatively recent advance in equine surgery, despite which there are few published comparisons between the available arthroscopic systems. Unassigned: To compare and contrast two arthroscopic systems for assessing the equine temporomandibular joint compartments in cadavers and standing horses. Unassigned: Experimental study. Unassigned: Phase I involved the assessment of the discotemporal joint (DTJ) and discomandibular (DMJ) joint compartments of both temporomandibular joints (TMJ) of 14 cadaveric equine heads using a caudally placed arthroscopy portal. Joints were initially examined using the needle arthroscope and the results compared to the findings of examination using a 2.5 mm 30° arthroscope system (standard). Three healthy horses were subsequently examined to determine the validity of the procedure in live animals in Phase II. Unassigned: Needle and standard arthroscopy, in combination with mandibular manipulation, allowed evaluation of the caudal aspects of both joint compartments of the TMJ in Phase I. However, the extreme margins of the joint were more commonly visualized using standard arthroscopy. Live horses in phase II were restrained in stocks and both the rostral and caudal aspects of the DTJ and DMJ compartments of both TMJs were examined successfully understanding sedation and local analgesia. The use of a modified Guenther speculum allowed the mandible to be manipulated and offset, which facilitated a complete examination of the joint compartments. Despite adverse behavior encountered during the procedure in one horse, no surgical complications ensued. Unassigned: Not blinded-bias; learning curve. Unassigned: The needle arthroscope system is a relatively inexpensive diagnostic tool, which can be used to evaluate the TMJ in the absence of advanced diagnostic imaging such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. However, if arthroscopic treatment is required after advanced imaging and pre-operative diagnosis, superior image quality and ease of manipulation may favor the use of the standard equipment.
Copyright © 2022 Carmalt and Pimentel.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-26 PubMed ID: 35558885PubMed Central: PMC9087581DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.876041Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 is about a study comparing two types of arthroscopy systems used for diagnosing osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of horses, both on cadavers and live animals.

Objective

The main aim of this research was to evaluate and compare two arthroscopic systems used for inspecting the equine temporomandibular joint. The two systems in focus were the standard arthroscopy system and the needle arthroscopy system.

Methodology

  • The experiment was divided into two phases. The first phase involved testing both arthroscopic systems on the temporomandibular joints (DTJ and DMJ compartments) of 14 equine cadaveric heads.
  • The same joints were initially examined using the needle arthroscope, and later the standard arthroscope, and the results were compared.
  • In the second phase, the procedure was tested on three healthy horses to see how it would work on live animals.

Results

  • Both the needle and standard arthroscopy, along with mandibular manipulation, were successful in evaluating the caudal aspects of both joint compartments of the temporomandibular joint.
  • However, the margins of the joint were more frequently seen with the standard arthroscopy.
  • The experiment faced no surgical complications, despite one horse exhibiting adverse behavior during the procedure.

Conclusion

  • The needle arthroscopy proves to be a cost-effective diagnostic tool that can be used in the absence of other advanced diagnostic imaging, like CT or MRI.
  • However, the standard arthroscopy yielded superior image quality and ease of use when it came to the manipulation of the joint, which may make it the better choice when arthroscopic treatment is needed following advanced imaging and a pre-operative diagnosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Carmalt JL, Pimentel KL. (2022). The Equine Temporomandibular Joint: Comparisons Between Standard and Needle Arthroscopic Examination of Cadaver Specimens and Standing Horses. Front Vet Sci, 9, 876041. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.876041

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 876041
PII: 876041

Researcher Affiliations

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

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 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.
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  2. Kerbert MP, Delling U, Verhaar N. Gross anatomy, computed tomographic contrast tenography, and needle endoscopy of the equine medial digital flexor tendon sheath. Vet Surg 2025 Aug;54(6):1133-1144.
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  4. Kim CS, Reisbig NA, Carmalt JL. Contrast arthrography of the equine temporomandibular joint. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1368131.
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