Temporomandibular joint injections in dogs with temporomandibular joint pain: 11 cases (2015‐2019)

Abstract

To describe and evaluate the clinical application of temporomandibular joint injections using betamethasone and ropivacaine in German Shepherd dogs suffering from non-odontogenic orofacial pain due to temporomandibular dysplasia and/or osteoarthritis. Materials and MethOds: Outcomes in dogs presented with clinical signs of non-odontogenic orofacial pain associated to temporomandibular joint dysplasia and/or arthritis and treated with a temporomandibular joint injection were retrospectively-prospectively evaluated. results: The overall clinical signs free period ranged between 25 to 1579 days, with an average of 461 days. The clinical signs free period for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis scores 1, 2 and 3 were on average 659 days (180-1579 days), 134 days (42-355 days) and 723 days (25-1377 days), respectively. Similarly the temporomandibular dysplasia scores 1, 2 and 3 were on average 306 days (26-1579 days), 1377 days and 669 days (25-1429 days) respectively. Those dogs in which only one side was injected the clinical signs free period average was 639 days (25-1578 days), compared with dogs in which both temporomandibular joints were injected showing a clinical signs free period average of 378 days (42-1377 days). clinical significance: The temporomandibular joint injection technique proved to be feasible with a decent outcome in dogs suffering from non-odontogenic orofacial pain associated with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and/or dysplasia. Further randomised studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of this intervention.

Morphological Assessment of the Temporomandibular Joint in Asymptomatic Brachycephalic Dogs Using Computed Tomography

“…None of the 32 dogs with TMJ osteoarthritis had subchondral cysts in the mandibular head, therefore suggesting that subchondral cysts are not a feature of TMJ osteoarthritis. Subchondral cysts were not described when CT 15,24 and radiography [11][12][13][14][16][17][18] were used to evaluate dogs suffering from TMJ dysplasia, although it is unlikely that such small lesions would have been visible on radiographs due to the superimposition with other bones of the skull in this region. Although in the present study, subclinical TMJ dysplasia and degenerative changes could not be completely excluded, grades A to B2 were deemed unlikely to be associated with symptomatic TMJ dysplasia.…”

Surgical treatment of pseudoankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in a dog

“…2 TMJ pseudoankylosis in dogs at a young age will likely result in development of lifelong malocclusion despite surgical treatment. 10,28 Osteoarthritis is the most common TMJ disorder in dogs and generally associated with other TMJ pathology. 12,28 It is assumed that dogs with TMJ pseudoankylosis may be at an increased risk of developing TMJ osteoarthritis in either joint, and may present with pain on opening and closing the mouth.…”

“…Recurrence of pseudoankylosis may occur and require further surgical intervention; however, most dogs retained a similar vmROM at long‐term follow‐up when compared to post‐operative assessment, and dogs did not display evidence of pain, discomfort or difficulty eating 2 . TMJ pseudoankylosis in dogs at a young age will likely result in development of lifelong malocclusion despite surgical treatment 10,28 . Osteoarthritis is the most common TMJ disorder in dogs and generally associated with other TMJ pathology 12,28 .…”

Three-Dimensional Volume Rendering in Computed Tomography for Evaluation of the Temporomandibular Joint in Dogs

“…In the present study 3DVR images of the TMJ were greatly descriptive, showing every detail of the TMJ. Until now, 3DVR images of TMJ have only been briefly studied when focusing on different alterations in craniomandibular osteopathy, dysplasia [6], mandible luxation [6], post-traumatic ankylosis [23], sarcoma in the caudal portion of mandible [24], mandible osteomyelitis [25], fractures secondary to septic arthritis or osteomyelitis [25] or even to fit the site of puncture of a joint [31]. These studies showed lateral and rostrolateral views of the TMJ, but only Mielke et al 2017 [29] showed ventral images of the TMJ of dogs of different breeds, relating its anatomical positions with tympanic bullae.…”