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Abstract
<p class="first" id="d9117586e59">A peripheral mononeuropathy was produced in adult
rats by placing loosely constrictive
ligatures around the common sciatic nerve. The postoperative behavior of these rats
indicated that hyperalgesia, allodynia and, possibly, spontaneous pain (or dysesthesia)
were produced. Hyperalgesic responses to noxious radiant heat were evident on the
second postoperative day and lasted for over 2 months. Hyperalgesic responses to chemogenic
pain were also present. The presence of allodynia was inferred from the nocifensive
responses evoked by standing on an innocuous, chilled metal floor or by innocuous
mechanical stimulation, and by the rats' persistence in holding the hind paw in a
guarded position. The presence of spontaneous pain was suggested by a suppression
of appetite and by the frequent occurrence of apparently spontaneous nocifensive responses.
The affected hind paw was abnormally warm or cool in about one-third of the rats.
About one-half of the rats developed grossly overgrown claws on the affected side.
Experiments with this animal model may advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms
of neuropathic pain disorders in humans.
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