The Generation of Closed Femoral Fractures in Mice: A Model to Study Bone Healing

Justin N. Williams; Yong Li; Anuradha Valiya Kambrath; Uma Sankar

doi:10.3791/58122

The Generation of Closed Femoral Fractures in Mice: A Model to Study Bone Healing

JoVE Journal
Medicine

A subscription to JoVE is required to view this content. Sign in or start your free trial.

JoVE Journal Medicine

The Generation of Closed Femoral Fractures in Mice: A Model to Study Bone Healing

Full Text

16,412 Views

05:53 min

August 16, 2018

DOI: 10.3791/58122-v

Justin N. Williams¹, Yong Li¹, Anuradha Valiya Kambrath¹, Uma Sankar¹

¹Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology,Indiana University School of Medicine

Overview

The murine closed femoral fracture model is a valuable tool for investigating fracture healing and developing new therapies to enhance bone regeneration. This protocol outlines the surgical procedure to create unilateral closed femoral fractures in mice using an intramedullary steel rod for stabilization.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Bone healing
Fracture repair mechanisms
Therapeutic strategies

Background

This method addresses critical questions in fracture healing research.
It explores biological repair mechanisms.
It aids in the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
The technique is minimally invasive and allows for standardized fracture generation.

Purpose of Study

To study bone fracture healing in a controlled environment.
To evaluate the effectiveness of new therapeutic approaches.
To understand the biological processes involved in fracture repair.

Methods Used

Induction of anesthesia and sedation confirmation via toe pinch.
Application of eye ointment to protect the eyes during surgery.
Preparation of the surgical site by disinfecting the skin.
Creation of a 1.5 cm incision over the knee joint to access the femur.

Main Results

Standardized fractures were successfully generated in mice.
The surgical procedure demonstrated minimal invasiveness.
Key biological mechanisms of fracture healing were observed.
Potential therapeutic strategies for bone healing were identified.

Conclusions

The murine closed femoral fracture model is effective for studying bone healing.
This model can facilitate the development of new treatments for fractures.
Further research can build on the findings from this surgical protocol.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the murine closed femoral fracture model?

It is used to study fracture healing and test new therapeutic strategies for bone regeneration.

How is the surgical procedure performed?

The procedure involves anesthetizing the mouse, disinfecting the surgical site, and making an incision to create a fracture.

What are the advantages of this technique?

It is minimally invasive and allows for standardized fractures, making it ideal for research.

Who demonstrates the surgical procedure?

Yong Li and Anuradha Valiya Kambrath, technicians from the laboratory, demonstrate the procedure.

What are the expected outcomes of this study?

The study aims to enhance understanding of fracture healing and identify effective therapeutic strategies.

What type of mice are used in this model?

10-week old male mice are typically used for this surgical protocol.

The murine closed femoral fracture model is a powerful platform to study fracture healing and novel therapeutic strategies to accelerate bone regeneration. The goal of this surgical protocol is to generate unilateral closed femoral fractures in mice using an intramedullary steel rod to stabilize the femur.

This method can help answer key questions in fracture healing research about the biological mechanisms of repair and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for promoting efficient bone healing. The main advantage of this technique is that it serves as minimally invasive procedure for generating standardized fractures to study bone fracture healing in mice. Demonstrating the surgical procedure will be Yong Li and Anuradha Valiya Kambrath, technicians from our laboratory.

After confirming the appropriate level of sedation by toe pinch, apply ointment to the eyes of an anesthetized 10-week old male mouse and remove the fur from the right hind limb. Starting at the center of the knee and making a circular sweep outward, disinfect the exposed skin with three sequential iodine-based and 70%ethanol scrubs, and place the mouse on a heating pad covered by a sterile surgical drape in the supine position. Flex the knee of the operative leg and use a scalpel blade to make a 1.5 centimeter incision centered over the knee joint.

View the full transcript and gain access to thousands of scientific videos