A technique for creating critical-size defects in the metatarsus of sheep for use in investigation of healing of long-bone defects

Objective —To develop a technique for use in investigation of healing of long-bone defects by creation of a critical-size defect in the left metarsal III and IV bone (metatarsus) of sheep. Animals —18 healthy adult sheep. Procedure —Sheep were allocated to 4 groups (3, 3, 5, and 7 sheep in groups 1 to 4, respectively). An ostectomy with various segmental length-to-diaphyseal diameter ratios (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 2.0 for groups 1 to 4,...