Description
- Abstract:
- Abstract of Establishment of the Yucatan Minipig as a Preclinical Animal Model for Carpal Instabilities in the Human Wrist, by Quianna Vaughan, Ph.D., Brown University, May 2026. Wrist osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disease resulting from ligament injury, fracture, or aging. Although it can be debilitating, treatment options, particularly surgical interventions, remain less successful than those for larger joints, partly due to the lack of a suitable preclinical animal model. This study aimed to investigate the potential of the Yucatan minipig (YMP) as a preclinical animal model for the human wrist based on similarities in ligamentous and bony anatomy. Notably, the radial carpal bone (RCB) was previously found to be homologous to the human scaphoid. To further evaluate this model, its biomechanical and biological responses to ligament injury (LI) and small bone replacement (SBR) were assessed. Cobalt–chrome implants were first developed from the mean shape of a YMP RCB dataset for use in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The biomechanics of the YMP carpus were then quantified using a robotic simulation system, including multidirectional range of motion (ROM), pronosupination, and volar–dorsal translation of the metacarpals relative to the radius and ulna. Measurements were obtained under the following conditions: intact, transection of all ligaments connected to the RCB, RCB resection, and SBR. The YMP carpus exhibited an elliptical motion envelope similar to that of the human wrist. ROM increased following ligament transection, consistent with observations in the human wrist after disruption of stabilizing ligaments, bone resection, and SBR. To assess translational relevance in vivo, OA progression following LI and SBR was evaluated using spatiotemporal gait symmetry, and later defined by quantification of osteophyte volume, joint distance, and cartilage health via microscopic OARSI scoring. The SBR group demonstrated greater postoperative gait asymmetry compared to the LI group. Additionally, increased osteophyte formation and cartilage damage were observed in the SBR group, particularly at articulating surfaces in contact with the implant, whereas no differences in joint distance were detected. Collectively, these findings characterize the translational potential of the YMP carpus in both injured and treated states and demonstrate its utility as a preclinical model of the human wrist. This model may facilitate the development and evaluation of improved treatment strategies for wrist osteoarthritis.
- Notes:
- Thesis (Ph. D.)--Brown University, 2026
Citation
Vaughan, Quianna,
"Establishment of the Yucatan Minipig as a Preclinical Animal Model for Carpal Instabilities in the Human Wrist"
(2026).
Biomedical Engineering Theses and Dissertations.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:n84j9km9/
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Biomedical Engineering Theses and Dissertations
Theses and Dissertations for the Biomedical Engineering department....