Intramembranous bone regeneration and implant placement using mechanical femoral marrow ablation: rodent models

In this paper, we provide a detailed protocol for a model of long bone mechanical marrow ablation in the rodent, including surgical procedure, anesthesia, and pre- and post-operative care. In addition, frequently used experimental end points are briefly discussed. This model was developed to study intramembranous bone regeneration following surgical disruption of the marrow contents of long bones. In this model, the timing of the appearance of bone formation and remodeling is well-characterized and therefore the model is well-suited to evaluate the in vivo effects of various agents which influence these processes. When biomaterials such as tissue engineering scaffolds or metal implants are placed in the medullary cavity after marrow ablation, end points relevant to tissue engineering and implant fixation can also be analyzed. By sharing a detailed protocol, we hope to improve inter-laboratory reproducibility.