Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with painful swelling near eye - treatment for joint arthritis
By Nagy, Amy Dae & Simhofer, Hubert·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2006·Clinic for Surgery and Ophthalmology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Mandibular condylectomy and meniscectomy for the treatment of septic temporomandibular joint arthritis in a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old Noriker filly was brought in with painful swelling near her left eye, difficulty eating, and trouble opening her mouth due to advanced joint disease in her jaw caused by an infection. After confirming the issue with a CT scan, the veterinarian performed surgery to remove the damaged joint tissue and a necrotic meniscus. Following the procedure, the filly showed significant improvement, with full recovery of her ability to open her mouth and no further signs of jaw misalignment. She was doing well at both the 4-month and 1-year follow-ups, indicating that the surgery was successful.
People also search for: horse jaw swelling treatment · filly mouth opening problems · septic arthritis in horses treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report use of mandibular condylectomy for treatment of advanced degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) caused by sepsis. DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMALS: Two-year-old Noriker filly. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was used to confirm advanced degenerative joint disease of the left TMJ and for follow-up after mandibular condylectomy and removal of necrotic meniscus. RESULTS: Painful swelling (3 weeks duration) with drainage located just caudal to the left lateral canthus of the eye was associated with atrophy of the left masseter muscle, masticatory problems, and inappetence. There was incisor malocclusion with a 1.4 cm resting lateral mandibular deviation to the right and inability to open the mouth more than a few centimeters. Left mandibular condylectomy combined with meniscectomy and thorough debridement of the septic left TMJ resulted in resolution of clinical signs and complete return of function. Streptococcus zooepidemicus, intermediately resistant to penicillin and subsequently to enrofloxacin, was isolated from the wound. Regeneration of a mandibular "pseudocondyle" was evident on CT at 4 months. At 4 months and 1 year the filly had maximal mouth opening >10 cm and no malocclusion. CONCLUSION: Mandibular condylectomy can be used to facilitate management of septic TMJ arthritis. There was no radiologic or clinical evidence of TMJ ankylosis >1 year after meniscal removal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mandibular condylectomy, including meniscectomy, is an acceptable treatment option for advanced TMJ septic arthritis and allowed return of normal masticatory function.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17026552/