Mid-tibial distraction osteogenesis redistributes bone blood flow: a microsphere study in rabbits
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
A Mouse Distraction Osteogenesis Model
Published on: November 14, 2018
Henrik Eckardt1, Martin Lind, Knud S Christensen
1Department of Orthopedics, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark. henrikeckardt@mail.dk
Background:
Distraction osteogenesis can be used for the treatment of osteomyelitis and nonunion, conditions thought to benefit from increased blood flow in the bone tissue of the distracted limb. We have questioned whether such an increase occurs, and investigated the spatial distribution of bone blood flow after distraction osteogenesis.
Methods:
The tibiae of 8 rabbits were lengthened 10 mm by a standard midtibial distraction osteogenesis procedure. 2 weeks into the consolidation phase, the bone and soft tissue blood flow of the distracted and the contralateral extremity were measured using radioactive microspheres.
Results:
The absolute bone blood flow of the distracted tibia was 4% lower than that of the non-distracted side, representing a 41% decrease in the proximal metaphysis, a smaller decrease in the proximal epiphysis, distal metaphysis and distal epiphysis, and an increase in the diaphysis.
Interpretation:
Mid-tibial distraction osteogenesis redistributed the bone blood flow of the distracted tibia, but absolute tibial blood flow did not increase. Our results do not confirm previous research in this field.
