title: Distraction of skeletal muscle: evolution of a rat model.
abstract: To better study the effects of limb lengthening on skeletal muscle, the authors developed a rat model that uses a miniature external skeletal fixator applied to the tibia of an adult Sprague-Dawley rat. The mounting and lengthening protocols follow the principles developed by Ilizarov. With the initial version of the fixator, the rats had progressive equinus contractures develop because the calf muscles resisted elongation. By incorporating a footplate in the distraction apparatus, tibial lengthening can be achieved without concomitant equinus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-Irvine, 101 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Utkan
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Caiozzo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D023421:Models, Animal; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley