title: A method for making reproducible experimental fractures of the rabbit tibia.
abstract: A method for making reproducible fractures of the tibia of the rabbit is described. The fractures may be stabilized by plating with either metallic compression, or plastic plates. If a stainless steel dynamic compression plate is used, the rigid immobilization of the fragments leads to direct Haversian remodelling across the fracture, i.e. primary healing, whereas when a plastic plate is used, the fixation is unstable and this leads to secondary healing with the development of a cartilaginous callus. Thus the method of healing may be determined predictably.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing