2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (26): 4189-4153

Establishment of a rat femoral nonunion model by intramedullary fixation

Lyu Lijun1, 2, Peng Wei3, Li Chuangbing2, Ye Shuo2, Gao Qiuming2   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Establishing an objective and standard animal model of bone nonunion is essential for experimental studies and treatment of nonunion.
OBJECTIVE: To establish an objective animal model for experimental studies of nonunion.
METHODS: Specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats were selected and prepared by cutting off a 5 mm bone defect in the middle femur, peeling off a large periosteum and removing bone marrow. Animal models were fixed with a 1.2 mm Kirschner wire. At 1, 4 and 8 weeks, bone nonunion was observed by gross specimen observation, X-ray examination and histopathological examination.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The gross specimen, X-ray film and histopathological examination showed that there was no callus formation in the bone defect area, the broken end was filled with fiber tissue, and the bone callus was rare or even invisible. To conclude, the rat model of nonunion can be successfully established by osteotomy of the middle femur, large periosteum peeling and bone marrow removal. This modeling method is simple, reliable and effective.

Key words: nonunion, animal model, femur, radiology, pathology