Spine
-
: A new model of experimental spinal cord injury is detailed based on the application of tensile (distraction) force to the vertebral column of the rat. ⋯ : 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.