Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Establishment of an objective and standard experimental animal model of bone non-union is necessary for experimental study and related treatment of non-union.
OBJECTIVE: To establish an objective experimental animal model for the experimental study of non-union.
METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were included in this study, the middle tibia was cut off, and fracture fragments (including periosteum) were seared with dental cement plugger (3# or 4#). Subsequently, bone marrow cavity was drilled using a 0.5 mm Kirschner wire, and the fractures were fixed. 2 months later, the specimens were detected by gross observation, histopathological detection and radiological examination to determine the nonunion formation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results of gross observation, histopathological detection and radiological examination showed that, no bony union was found at bone defect area, which was filled by fiber scar tissue, and bone end sclerosis was apparent. The animal models established in this study have pathological changes of bone non-union, which is in line with the requirements of bone non-union, so the model can be considered a reliable and practical animal model of bone non-union.

Key words: tibia, fractures, bone, models, animal