[The mechanism of biological adaptability of peripheral nerves during limb lengthening in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To study the mechanism of subclinical damage and repairing process of peripheral nerves during gradual tibial lengthening.


METHODS
Histological investigation, electrophysiological examination of tibial nerve and GAP-43 mRNA expression of sciatic nerve related spinal cord and ganglion were observed in 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% lengthening, and at 2, 4, 8 weeks phases after 40% limb lengthening in 80 rabbits.


RESULTS
With the increase of elongation, severer and more obvious nerve damage and stronger expression of GAP-43 mRNA happened. However, nerve regeneration occurred synchronously and the changes recovered gradually within 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Damage of the peripheral nerves is common during limb lengthening. But, it is temporary and recoverable in case the lengthening rate is < 1 mm/d.
Xu
J
J
Department of Orthopaedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
Li
Q
Q
Fan
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011817:Rabbits