Name: fracture apparatus design and protocol optimization for closed-stabilized fractures in rodents
Uploaded: 2018-08-14T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents at JoVE.com

The research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award number F30AR071201 and R01AR066028.

This protocol was developed to ensure that animals are not used needlessly and are spared all unnecessary pain and distress; it adheres to all applicable federal, state, local, and institutional laws and guidelines governing animal research. The protocol was developed under the guidance of a university-wide Laboratory Animal Medicine Program directed by veterinarians specialized in laboratory animal medicine. The protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
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<ol>
	<li>Corso, P., Finkelstein, E., Miller, T., Fiebelkorn, I., Zaloshnja, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Incidence+and+lifetime+costs+of+injuries+in+the+United+States.">Incidence and lifetime costs of injuries in the United States.</a> Injury Prevention. 12 (4), 212-218 (2006).</li><li>Nguyen, N. D., Ahlborg, H. G., Center, J. R., Eisman, J. A., Nguyen, T. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Residual+lifetime+risk+of+fractures+in+women+and+men.">Residual lifetime risk of fractures in women and men.</a> Journal of Bone and Mineral Research: The Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. 22 (6), 781-788 (2007).</li><li>Thompson, Z., Miclau, T., Hu, D., Helms, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+model+for+intramembranous+ossification+during+fracture+healing.">A model for intramembranous ossification during fracture healing.</a> Journal of Orthopaedic Research: Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society. 20 (5), 1091-1098 (2002).</li><li>Cheung, K. M. C., Kaluarachi, K., Andrew, G., Lu, W., Chan, D., Cheah, K. S. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+externally+fixed+femoral+fracture+model+for+mice.">An externally fixed femoral fracture model for mice.</a> Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 21 (4), 685-690 (2003).</li><li>Connolly, C. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+reliable+externally+fixated+murine+femoral+fracture+model+that+accounts+for+variation+in+movement+between+animals.">A reliable externally fixated murine femoral fracture model that accounts for variation in movement between animals.</a> Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 21 (5), 843-849 (2003).</li><li>Histing, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+internal+locking+plate+to+study+intramembranous+bone+healing+in+a+mouse+femur+fracture+model.">An internal locking plate to study intramembranous bone healing in a mouse femur fracture model.</a> Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 28 (3), 397-402 (2010).</li><li>Gr&#246;ngr&#246;ft, I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fixation+compliance+in+a+mouse+osteotomy+model+induces+two+different+processes+of+bone+healing+but+does+not+lead+to+delayed+union.">Fixation compliance in a mouse osteotomy model induces two different processes of bone healing but does not lead to delayed union.</a> Journal of Biomechanics. 42 (13), 2089-2096 (2009).</li><li>Bonnarens, F., Einhorn, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Production+of+a+standard+closed+fracture+in+laboratory+animal+bone.">Production of a standard closed fracture in laboratory animal bone.</a> Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2 (1), 97-101 (1984).</li><li>Huang, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+spatiotemporal+role+of+COX-2+in+osteogenic+and+chondrogenic+differentiation+of+periosteum-derived+mesenchymal+progenitors+in+fracture+repair.">The spatiotemporal role of COX-2 in osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of periosteum-derived mesenchymal progenitors in fracture repair.</a> PloS One. 9 (7), 100079 (2014).</li><li>Waki, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Profiling+microRNA+expression+during+fracture+healing.">Profiling microRNA expression during fracture healing.</a> BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 17, 83 (2016).</li><li>Yee, C. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sclerostin+antibody+treatment+improves+fracture+outcomes+in+a+Type+I+diabetic+mouse.">Sclerostin antibody treatment improves fracture outcomes in a Type I diabetic mouse.</a> Bone. 82, 122-134 (2016).</li><li>Wong, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+low-molecular-weight+compound+enhances+ectopic+bone+formation+and+fracture+repair.">A novel low-molecular-weight compound enhances ectopic bone formation and fracture repair.</a> The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 95 (5), 454-461 (2013).</li><li>Prodinger, P. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Does+Anticoagulant+Medication+Alter+Fracture-Healing?+A+Morphological+and+Biomechanical+Evaluation+of+the+Possible+Effects+of+Rivaroxaban+and+Enoxaparin+Using+a+Rat+Closed+Fracture+Model.">Does Anticoagulant Medication Alter Fracture-Healing? A Morphological and Biomechanical Evaluation of the Possible Effects of Rivaroxaban and Enoxaparin Using a Rat Closed Fracture Model.</a> PloS One. 11 (7), 0159669 (2016).</li><li>Menzdorf, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Local+pamidronate+influences+fracture+healing+in+a+rodent+femur+fracture+model:+an+experimental+study.">Local pamidronate influences fracture healing in a rodent femur fracture model: an experimental study.</a> BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 17, 255 (2016).</li><li>Hagiwara, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fixation+stability+dictates+the+differentiation+pathway+of+periosteal+progenitor+cells+in+fracture+repair.">Fixation stability dictates the differentiation pathway of periosteal progenitor cells in fracture repair.</a> Journal of Orthopaedic Research: Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society. 33 (7), 948-956 (2015).</li><li>Gardner, M. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+fracture+healing+resulting+from+fixation+stiffness+variability:+a+mouse+model.">Differential fracture healing resulting from fixation stiffness variability: a mouse model.</a> Journal of Orthopaedic Science: Official Journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association. 16 (3), 298-303 (2011).</li><li>Catma, M. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remote+ischemic+preconditioning+enhances+fracture+healing.">Remote ischemic preconditioning enhances fracture healing.</a> Journal of Orthopaedics. 12 (4), 168-173 (2015).</li><li>Lichte, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impaired+Fracture+Healing+after+Hemorrhagic+Shock.">Impaired Fracture Healing after Hemorrhagic Shock.</a> Mediators of Inflammation. 2015, 132451 (2015).</li><li>Lopas, L. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fractures+in+geriatric+mice+show+decreased+callus+expansion+and+bone+volume.">Fractures in geriatric mice show decreased callus expansion and bone volume.</a> Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 472 (11), 3523-3532 (2014).</li><li>Bonnarens, F., Einhorn, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Production+of+a+standard+closed+fracture+in+laboratory+animal+bone.">Production of a standard closed fracture in laboratory animal bone.</a> Journal of orthopaedic research. 2 (1), 97-101 (1984).</li><li>Marturano, J. 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This fracture optimization and generation protocol provides researchers with an efficient method to derive at fracture parameters and perform a minimally invasive procedure, which produces precise, repeatable, transverse fractures. Additionally, this protocol establishes a common set of fracture generation parameters, which promotes method consistency amongst researchers. These parameters will enable the creation of a common fracture database to establish fracture standards based on a variety of parameters (e.g....

Research on fracture healing is necessary to address a large clinical and economic problem. Each year over 12 million fractures are treated in the United States1, costing $80 billion per year2. The likelihood of a male or female suffering a fracture in their lifetime is 25% and 44%, respectively3. Problems associated with fracture healing are expected to increase with increased comorbidities as the population ages. To study and address this problem, robust models of fracture generation and stabilization are required. Rodent models are ideally suited for this purpose. They provide clinical relevance and can be modified to address specific conditions (i.e., multiple injuries, open, closed, ischemic, and infected fractures). In addition to replicating clinical scenarios, animal fracture models are important for understanding bone biology and developing therapeutics and devices. However, attempts to study differences between interventions may be complicated by the variability introduced by inconsistent fracture generation. Thus, generating reproducible and consistently closed fractures in animal models is essential to the field of musculoskeletal research.
Despite properly controlling for potential subject heterogeneity by ensuring the appropriate genetic background, sex, age, and environmental conditions, the production of clinically-relevant consistent bone injuries is a significant variable affecting reproducibility that must be controlled. Statistical comparisons using inconsistent fractures are plagued with experimental noise and a high variability4; in addition, fracture variability can result in unnecessary animal death because of the need to increase the sample size or the necessity to euthanize animals with comminuted or malpositioned fractures. The purpose of the method described herein is to optimize the fracture generation parameters that are specific to sample type and yield a consistent fracture location and pattern.
Current models of fracture generation fall into two broad categories, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Open-fracture (osteotomy) models undergo surgery to expose the bone, after which a fracture is induced by cutting the bone or weakening it and then manually breaking it5,6,7,8. The benefits of this method are the direct visualization of the fracture site and a more consistent fracture location and pattern. However, the physiological and clinical relevance of the approach and mechanism of injury is limited. Additionally, open methods of fracture generation require a surgical approach and closure with prolonged periods during which the rodents are exposed to an increased risk of contamination.
Closed techniques address many of the open technique&#39;s limitations. Closed techniques produce fractures using an externally applied blunt force trauma which induces injury to the bone and surrounding tissues, more similar to those seen in human clinical injuries. The most common method was described by Bonnarens and Einhorn in 19849. They described a weighted guillotine being used to impart blunt trauma to break the bone without causing any external skin wounds. This method has been widely adopted to study the effect of genetics10,11, pharmacologic therapy12,13,14,15, mechanics16,17, and physiology18,19,20 on bone healing in mice and rats. While the benefit of closed methods is physiologically relevant fractures, experimental reproducibility and rigor are limited by fracture heterogeneity. The inconsistent fracture generation results in a limited between-group differentiation, lost specimens, and an increase in animals needed to achieve statistical significance.
Controlling the variability in fracture generation and stabilization is essential to produce meaningful results. In order to properly study the biology of fracture repair, a simple yet robust fracture model is needed. The model should be translatable to rodent species, bone types (femur or tibiae, for example), and across variable mouse genetic backgrounds and induced mutations. Furthermore, the ideal procedure should be technically simple and produce consistent results. To address fracture heterogeneity, the method described herein is the construction of a well-controlled fracture device that can then be used to optimize parameters and generate consistently closed fractures regardless of age, sex, or genotype.

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	<tbody>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:240px;">Support Subassembly</td>
			<td style="width:209px;"></td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Supplementary Figure 1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Beam, Support--Jaw Section&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td>1003 x 9.00</td>
			<td>w/ #7042 at A, C, in Left End</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Beam, Support--Horizontal Section</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td>1002 x 14.00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Beam, Support--Vertical 1</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td>1050 x 10.50&#160;</td>
			<td>w/ #7042 at A in Left End and at A in Right End</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Beam, Support--Vertical 2</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td>1010 x 10.50&#160;</td>
			<td>w/ #7042 at D, B in Left End and at A in Right End</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Beam, Support--Plate Mount</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td>1030 x 8.00&#160;</td>
			<td>w/ #7036 at Left End</td>
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		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Beam, Support--Magnet</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td>1010 x 13.50&#160;</td>
			<td>w/ #7042 at A, C, in Right End</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Anchors (3)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">3392</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Double Anchor (3)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">3091</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Bolt Assembly (6)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">3386</td>
			<td>1/4-20 x 3/8&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Button Head Socket Cap Screw (6)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">3604</td>
			<td>1/4-20 x 3/4&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Ram Subassembly</td>
			<td style="width:209px;"></td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Block, Stop</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Block, Guide</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Rod, Ram</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Alignment Screw</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Plate, Mounting</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 6</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Linear Sleeve Bearing (2)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">8649T2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Hex Nut (3)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>92673A125</td>
			<td>3/8-16 UNC</td>
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		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Socket Cap Screw (8)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">92196A108</td>
			<td>4/40 x 3/8&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Socket Cap Screw (6)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">92196A032</td>
			<td>4/40 x 1 1/8&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Socket Cap Screw (1)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">92196A267&#160;</td>
			<td>10/32 3/8&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Magnet Subassembly</td>
			<td style="width:209px;"></td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 7</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Mount, Magnet</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 8</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Power Supply</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>70235K23</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Foot Switch</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>7376k2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Electromagnet</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>5698k111</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Wire - 10 feet</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">9936k12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Rod, Magnet</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>95412A566</td>
			<td>1/4&#34; Threaded Rod x 7&#34;</td>
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		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Corner Bracket (6)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">80/20</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">4108</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Socket Cap Screw (1)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">92196A705</td>
			<td>10/32 1 1/4&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Hex Nut (4)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>92673A113</td>
			<td>1/4-20 UNC</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Complete Assembly</td>
			<td style="width:209px;"></td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 9</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Bracket, Leg Jaw (2)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 10</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Platform, Fracture</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 11</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Jig, Positioning-Fracture</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Custom</td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td>Supplementary Figure 12</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Other</td>
			<td style="width:209px;"></td>
			<td style="width:147px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Pin Cutter</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Medical Supplies and Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">150S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:240px;">Needles</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">Z192430, Z192376&#160;</td>
			<td>23g x 1.5&#34; - mouse femur, 27g x 1.25&#34; - mouse tibia</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

fracture apparatus design and protocol optimization for closed-stabilized fractures in rodents

The reliable generation of consistent stabilized fractures in animal models is essential for understanding the biology of bone regeneration and developing therapeutics and devices. However, available injury models are plagued by inconsistency resulting in wasted animals and resources and imperfect data. To address this problem of fracture heterogeneity, the purpose of the method described herein is to optimize fracture generation parameters specific to each animal and yield a consistent fracture location and pattern. This protocol accounts for variations in bone size and morphology that may exist between mouse strains and can be adapted to generate consistent fractures in other species, such as rat. Additionally, a cost-effective, adjustable fracture apparatus is described. Compared to current stabilized fracture techniques, the optimization protocol and new fracture apparatus demonstrate increased consistency in stabilized fracture patterns and locations. Using optimized parameters specific to the sample type, the described protocol increases the precision of induced traumas, minimizing the fracture heterogeneity typically observed in closed-fracture generation procedures.

The guillotine previously used in our laboratory was developed in 2004 and was based on models published by Einhorn21. The design did not permit adjustments to adequately account for any differences in bone morphology and did not permit a reproducible positioning of the limb. Furthermore, the previous apparatus required two people to operate it. Therefore, we designed, engineered, and built a new fracture apparatus. The main design goal was the possibility to the h...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents at JoVE.com

Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents

The goal of the protocol is to optimize the fracture generation parameters to yield consistent fractures. This protocol accounts for the variations in bone size and morphology that may exist between animals. Additionally, a cost-effective, adjustable fracture apparatus is described.

The reliable generation of consistent stabilized fractures in animal models is essential for understanding the biology of bone regeneration and developing ...

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