Development of a femoral non-union model in the mouse

Injury. 2008 Oct;39(10):1119-26. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2008.04.008. Epub 2008 Jul 25.

Abstract

Objectives: Advancements in our knowledge of fracture healing have occurred in large part by the understanding of this process on a microscopic level. The ability to develop experimental non-union models in animals will assist in the investigation of this problem and are likely to lead to novel treatments. We report on a technique for developing experimental non-unions in mice.

Methods: Femoral fractures were created in 48 CD1 mice, 24 mice underwent standard closed femoral fractures, and 24 mice underwent creation of a femoral non-union through an open osteotomy and fracture devascularisation method. All fractures were subsequently rodded. Histological examinations of the fractures were then conducted at eight time points post-operatively.

Results: The control group showed normal fracture healing with histological evidence of bony fracture bridging by 28 days and mature bony remodelling at 63 days. The non-union group showed delayed fracture healing at all time points and no evidence of bony healing at 63 days.

Conclusion: This is the first report of a reliable method to develop fracture non-union in mice. We believe this technique will be critical to further the investigation of fracture non-union in normal mice and provides the great advantage of using the plethora of transgenic and knockout mouse models to analyse non-union at the cell and molecular level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Remodeling
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Femoral Fractures / etiology*
  • Femoral Fractures / pathology
  • Femoral Fractures / surgery
  • Fracture Healing
  • Fractures, Ununited / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Ununited / etiology*
  • Fractures, Ununited / pathology
  • Mice
  • Osteotomy
  • Radiography