A method of resin processing and analysis for ovine bone-tendon-implant complex

Sheep are an accepted model for translational orthopaedic research and histological analysis is a main outcome for many of the studies. Standard paraffin techniques are not appropriate when the tissue has an implant, suture, or other structure that is not supported by paraffin. Resin histology is a technique that supports the implant and permits analysis of the implant/tissue interface. Methyl methacrylate is a common resin choice and has been well documented, but there is a lack of information concerning processing techniques on ovine bone-tendon-implant complexes. Ovine bone-tendon-implant are large (2 cm × 5 cm × 0.4 cm) and have dense fibrous tissue, making them difficult to process and section. This technical note describes a method of grossing, processing, and staining, that produces high‑quality ground slides that allow the pathologist to interpret what is happening at the cellular level.