Basic study on elucidating mechanism of neuronal plasticity of chronic pain induced by lower extremity immobilization and on its therapy

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We developed a type of chronic pain model caused by two-week cast-immobilization to reveal the mechanism of chronic pain without clear nerve injuries. In this model a long-lasting and widespread hyperalgesia was shown not only in the immobilized side, but also in the contralateral side and in the tail as well. These behavioral studies suggested the implication of central plasticity, therefore in this study we investigated changes in the immunohistochemistry of spinal glial cells after the cast-immobilization. A temporal and spatial association exists between the pain behaviors and spinal glial cells activation in this cast-immobilization chronic pain model.