Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) Model in Rabbits

Model Description

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a disabling degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage loss, subchondral bone remodeling, and synovial inflammation. With a 20.5% prevalence rate among adults ≥40 years in China, KOA imposes significant clinical burdens. Our rabbit models replicate human KOA progression through two validated methods:

• Modified Hulth Method: Surgical induction of joint instability
• Type II Collagenase Injection: Enzymatic cartilage degradation

Key Advantages:
✓ High reproducibility: 95% model success rate
✓ Clinical relevance: Mirrors human KOA pathology (OARSI Grade 3-4)
✓ Dual induction options: Acute vs chronic progression

Applications

• DMOAD (Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug) efficacy testing
• Cartilage repair biomaterial validation (hydrogels, scaffolds)
• Pain management strategy development
• Imaging technology optimization (MRI/PET tracer evaluation)

Modeling Protocols 

1. Modified Hulth Method

     Procedure:

• Medial parapatellar incision under anesthesia (ketamine/xylazine)
• ACL transection + medial meniscectomy
• Joint lavage → Layered closure

    Outcome:

• Rapid cartilage erosion (≥50% thickness loss in 8 weeks)
• Osteophyte formation (Micro-CT confirmed)

2. Type II Collagenase Injection：

    Intra-articular injection of 1.6 mg collagenase type II (dissolved in 50 μL saline)

    Repeat injection at Day 3

Validation & Testing