A Model of Experimental Spinal Cord Trauma Based on Computer-Controlled Intervertebral Distraction: Characterization of Graded Injury

Abstract

: Distraction-induced spinal cord injury was uniformly mild in rats with intact facet capsular ligaments, regardless of distraction parameters. Cutting the facet joint ligaments consistently generated outcome measures associated with mild, moderate, and severe spinal cord injury at 3-, 5-, and 7-mm distraction lengths, respectively.