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3D Kinematic Analysis for the Functional Evaluation in the Rat Model of Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury
In This Article
Summary
We introduce a kinematic analysis method that uses a three-dimensional motion capture apparatus containing four cameras and data processing software for performing functional evaluations during fundamental research involving rodent models.
Abstract
Compared to the Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), kinematic analysis is a more reliable and sensitive method for performing functional evaluations of sciatic nerve injury rodent models. In this protocol, we describe a novel kinematic analysis method that uses a three-dimensional (3D) motion capture apparatus for functional evaluations using a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model. First, the rat is familiarized with treadmill walking. Markers are then attached to the designated bone landmarks and the rat is made to walk on the treadmill at the desired speed. Meanwhile, the posterior limb movements of the rat are recorded using four cameras. Depending on the software used, marker tracings are created using both automatic and manual modes and the desired data are produced after subtle adjustments. This method of kinematic analysis, which uses a 3D motion capture apparatus, offers numerous advantages, including superior precision and accuracy. Many more parameters can be investigated during the comprehensive functional evaluations. This method has several shortcomings that require consideration: The system is expensive, can be complicated to operate, and may produce data deviations due to skin shifting. Nevertheless, kinematic analysis using a 3D motion capture apparatus is useful for performing functional anterior and posterior limb evaluations. In the future, this method may become increasingly useful for generating accurate assessments of various traumas and diseases.
Introduction
The Sciatic Functional Index (SFI) is the benchmark method for carrying out functional sciatic nerve evaluations1. The SFI has been widely adopted and is frequently used within various functional evaluation studies on rat sciatic nerve injuries2,3,4,5,6. In spite of its popularity, there are several problems with SFI, including automutilation7, joint contracture risk, and smearing of the footprints8. These problems seriously affect its ....
Protocol
The protocol was approved by the animal experimentation committee of Kyoto University, and all protocol steps were performed in accordance with the Guidelines of the Animal Experimentation Committee, Kyoto University (approval number: MedKyo17029).
1. Familiarizing rats with treadmill walking
- Set up two transparent plastic sheets on both sides of the treadmill to let a 12-week-old male Lewis rat walk in a straight, frontward direction, then turn on the electric shock grid.
Representative Results
We selected four parameters to investigate functional changes over time in a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model. These were the ratio of the stance-to-swing phase, center of gravity (CoG) trajectory, ankle angles, and toe angles in the 'toe off' phase9. Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: the control group (C), rats at the first (1w), third (3w), and sixth (6w) week following left sciatic nerve crush injury.
By means of 3D kinematic .......
Discussion
In this protocol, a stable and continuously walking rat is the most vital component of kinematic analysis. The treadmill speed was set to 20 cm/s. This walking speed is by no means considered "high" if rats move without space constraints16. Nevertheless, this speed is too fast for untrained rats to stably walk on the treadmill and would likely result in an abnormal gait and nonuniform movements. These events may seriously affect data reliability and authenticity. However, treadmill speeds .......
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP19K19793, JP18H03129, and JP18K19739.
....Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
| 9-0 nylon suture | Bear Medic Corporation. | T06A09N20-25 | |
| Anesthetic Apparatus for Small Animals | SHINANO MFG CO.,LTD. | SN-487-0T | |
| ISOFLURANE Inhalation Solution | Pfizer Japan Inc. | (01)14987114133400 | |
| Kine Analyzer | KISSEI COMTEC CO.,LTD. | N.A. | A analysis software |
| Liquid adhesive | KANBO PRAS CORPORATION | PT-B180 | |
| Micro forceps | BRC CO. | 16171080 | |
| Motion Recorder | KISSEI COMTEC CO.,LTD. | N.A. | A recording software |
| Standard surgical hemostat | Fine Science Tools, Inc. | 12501-13 | |
| Surgical blade No.10 | FEATHER Safety Razor CO., LTD | 100D | |
| Surgical hemostat | World Precision Instruments | 503740 | |
| Three-dimensional motion capture apparatus (KinemaTracer for Animal) | KISSEI COMTEC CO.,LTD. | N.A. | A 3D motion analysis system that consists of cameras |
| Three-dimensional(3D) Calculator | KISSEI COMTEC CO.,LTD. | N.A. | A marker tracing software |
| Treadmill | MUROMACHI KIKAI CO.,LTD | MK-685 | a treadmill with affialiated the electrical schocker, transparent sheats and a speed control apparatus |
References
- Kanaya, F., Firrell, J. C., Breidenbach, W. C. Sciatic function index, nerve conduction tests, muscle contraction, and axon morphometry as indicators of regeneration. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 98 (7), 1264-1274 (1996).
- Takhtfooladi, M. A., Jahanbakhsh, F., Takhtfooladi, H. A., Yousefi, K., Allahverdi, A.
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