Establishment of a rabbit model of scoliosis induced by asymmetric load using springs

OBJECTIVE: To establish rabbit model of scoliosis induced with stable asymmetric lumbar loads. METHODS: Scoliosis was induced in 10 two-month-old New Zealand rabbits using 316L stainless steel springs placed between the unilateral transverse processes of L2 and L5. Serial radiographs were documented before and at 1, 4, 8, 9 and 12 weeks after the operation. At weeks, the rabbits were randomly divided into SR group (n=5) with the spring removed and SK group (n=5) without spring removal. RESULTS: All the rabbits survived the experiment with Cobb angle all greater than 10 degree at the end of the experiment. Significant changes were found in the Cobb angles and kyphotic angles at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation (P 0.05), and in the 4 weeks following spring removal in SR group, the Cobb angle and the kyphosis decreased significantly compared with those in SK group (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric lumbar loading is a convenient, time-saving, and highly reproducible approach for establishing rabbit models of scoliosis.