The LockingMouseNail--a new implant for standardized stable osteosynthesis in mice.
BACKGROUND
Mouse models are of increasing interest to study cellular and molecular mechanisms during fracture healing. However, unlike in large animals and in humans, stable fixation of fractures has been difficult due to the small size of the mouse.


METHODS
Based on μCT-scans of a mouse femur, we developed a new intramedullary implant system comparable to a human locking nail. We analyzed fracture healing with osteotomy gap sizes of 0.00, 0.25, and 2.00 mm, which were stabilized with the LockingMouseNail.


RESULTS
Femora with a gap size of 0.00 mm and 0.25 mm showed complete fracture healing after 5 wk. Femora showed a secondary bone healing pattern with induction of a small periosteal callus. In contrast, femora with a gap size of 2.00 mm showed sparse periosteal callus formation and a lack of bone bridging even after 10 wk, indicating atrophic non-union.


CONCLUSIONS
The LockingMouseNail allows standardized fixation of mouse femur fractures and also stabilization of segmental defects. By introducing different gap sizes, the healing process can be influenced, ranging from normal fracture healing to atrophic non-union formation. Therefore, the model may ideally be suited to study molecular mechanisms of normal fracture healing, delayed healing, and non-union formation. It may additionally allow studying biological properties and effectiveness of different bone substitutes in stabilized segmental defects.
Garcia
Patric
P
Department of Trauma-, Hand-, and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany. chpgar@uniklinikum-saarland.de
Herwerth
Simon
S
Matthys
Romano
R
Holstein
Joerg H
JH
Histing
Tina
T
Menger
Michael D
MD
Pohlemann
Tim
T
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D010027:Osteotomy; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed