There are no reports describing the long-term outcome of sport horses undergoing unilateral mandibular condylectomy with meniscectomy (UMC) for treatment for severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease (TMD). The objective was to determine the long-term outcome of horses undergoing UMC for treatment of severe TMD. The hypothesis was that UMC with meniscectomy would allow horses to be maintained on a normal diet and return to their intended function. Medical records from seven equine referral hospitals were searched for horses with severe TMD that underwent UMC. Eleven horses underwent UMC due to severe idiopathic or septic osteoarthritis of the TMJ. Clinical signs included abnormal swelling around the joint, difficulty eating, hyporexia or anorexia, weight loss, presence of a wound, reluctance to accept the bit while riding, and pain on palpation of the joint. Follow-up owner questionnaires were obtained between 12 and 108 months post-operatively. The only intra-op complication was inadvertent transection of the facial artery. The most common post-operative complications were drainage and peri-incisional swelling in five horses which resolved with. All horses were discharged alive from the hospital, and 10 returned to their previous or intended use. Based on follow-up owner questionnaire, all horses had complete resolution of clinical signs associated with TMD and were able to be maintained on a normal diet of pasture, hay and concentrate. The main limitations of this study include its retrospective nature and collection of data from multiple referral centers. UMC with meniscectomy is associated with a good prognosis for horses with severe TMD.
