The luxated condyle is positioned rostral and dorsal. On physical examination, the animal cannot close its mouth and the rostral mandible is deviated away from the side that is luxated.
Closed reduction is performed under general anesthesia.
A small wooden dowel, pencil or syringe case is placed at the level of the last molars. Dorsal and caudal pressure on the mandible usually facilitates reduction of the condyle. After reduction, a tape muzzle limits opening of the mouth and helps prevent reluxation. In chronic luxations, interarcade wiring may be necessary. If manual reduction is not successful, open reduction is done via a ventrolateral approach to the joint.