Abstract
BackgroundMany non-union animal models have been developed to explore the problems surrounding fracture healing. However, the existing models are not perfect and cannot satisfy all non-union studies. This study aimed to make a non-union model of the tibia in rats by cauterization of the posterior of 2 mm on both sides of the fracture end after open osteotomy of the tibia and fixing the fractured tibia with a Kirschner wire 0.8 mm in diameter.MethodsFor this study, 96 female adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used. The rats underwent surgery to produce a tibial open fracture and were fixed with a 0.8-mm diameter Kirschner wire. In 48 of the rats, the periosteum proximal and distal to the fracture end was cauterized.ResultsAt 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery, radiological and histological analysis showed typical physiological healing in the control group, and the healing rate was 100% at 6 weeks. But the non-union group was characterized by resorption of the fracture ends with few callus formations and no bridging callus formation, and the healing rate was 0% at 8 weeks.ConclusionsThis method represents a reproducible model to create atrophic non-unions. This model provides a new option for studying the basic healing mechanisms and evaluating new therapies for bone regeneration and treatment of non-unions.
Highlights
Many non-union animal models have been developed to explore the problems surrounding fracture healing
To facilitate the establishment of a model and improve fracture healing intervention, we developed specific modifications to the non-union model developed by Hietaniemi et al by choosing the tibia in rats to make a non-union model
Bridging calluses were not seen in the fractures of the non-union group model at 8 weeks after surgery, with the majority classified as atrophic non-union based on their radiographical appearance (Figs. 2, 3)
Summary
Many non-union animal models have been developed to explore the problems surrounding fracture healing. This study aimed to make a non-union model of the tibia in rats by cauterization of the posterior of 2 mm on both sides of the fracture end after open osteotomy of the tibia and fixing the fractured tibia with a Kirschner wire 0.8 mm in diameter. Most previous non-union models have been based on large segmental defects of bone at the fracture site [4, 9] These models do not adequately represent the biological situation in which most non-unions develop [10, 11]. In this context, Hietaniemi et al have reported a femoral non-union model in rats [10]. Kokubu et al reported a high rate of wire migration and fatigue failure in this model, and the authors established
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