Like people, dogs can suffer from disorders of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, which can cause significant pain and functional problems. The canine TMJ is very narrow, so noninvasive access has been challenging. Now, veterinary surgeons are borrowing a state-of-the-art technique from human oral surgeons.
Nano-arthroscopy uses a tiny high-quality camera at the tip of a wirelike device to inspect surfaces inside the body. Use of this technology has been standard-of-care in human oral surgery for years.
For now, nano-arthroscopy can only be used as a diagnostic tool in medium- to large-breed dogs, but even smaller scopes may be coming in the future. Veterinary surgeons are also hoping to take this technology one step further and use it in treatment regimens in coming years.