The effect of a unitary femoral fracture on systemic animal metabolic activity and physical activity
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Abstract
Bone fractures are among the most frequent traumatic injuries among humans. Fractures can have long lasting physical, psychological, and financial ramifications that can negatively impact quality of life. The aim of this thesis is to identify possible early indications of improper fracture healing through analysis of whole systemic metabolic activity. This thesis also seeks to analyze pain levels associated with different time-points of healing by looking at overall physical activity as assessed by cage movement in relationship to physical pain as measured by limb specific allodynia. It is believed that monitoring changes in these variables and providing early intervention treatment could improve bone fracture healing outcomes. This thesis is based on a study with a female mouse model that analyzed these variables after a controlled femur fracture. It was found that there were significant differences between oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory exchange ratio, locomotor activity, and ambulatory activity at different time-points of fracture healing. There were also differences in pain at different time-points of healing as measured by allodynia as well, though these changes were not as significant. It was found that there was a weak positive correlation between allodynia pain and ambulatory activity, though this was not significant. Further studies on pain, movement, and metabolism following a bone fracture should be conducted to clarify and possibly solidify the trends seen in this thesis.
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2025