Improved imaging of rat hindfoot prints for walking track analysis

Walking track analysis is an investigative technique that allows a researcher to assess objectively the functional capacity of the limb in the rat sciatic nerve model. This study has shown that paint and paper is a better method for imaging the rat foot plantar surface than other methods described in the literature. The block printing paint has the distinct advantage of keeping radial diffusion error to a minimum. Paint more correctly images the important anatomical landmarks of the rat plantar surface. There is better traction (less slippage) rendering the prints easier to interpret. The authors conclude that the paint and paper is a superior method to the other methods currently available.