Absorbable 5 0 vicryl braided sutures

Rats were anesthetized in a 3% isoflurane sleep box (Patterson Veterinary, Greenley, CO, USA), aseptically prepped with alternating betadine surgical scrub (Purdue Products, Stamford, CT, USA) and 70% isopropyl alcohol in triplicate, and transferred to a sterile field. During MCLT and MMT surgery, a 1–2 cm midline skin incision was made along the medial side of the knee. Skin was retracted and the MCL was exposed by blunt dissection, and transected. The knee was moved into a valgus orientation, allowing central aspects of the medial meniscus to be cut radially. After meniscus transection, absorbable 5–0 vicryl braided sutures (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) were used to internally close the surgical path; 4–0 ethilon nylon monofilament sutures (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) were used to close the skin. Anesthesia was maintained via mask inhalation of 2.5% isoflurane throughout all procedures. Rats recovered post-operatively in a warming box until ambulatory. For pain management, rats received buprenorphine (0.05 mg/kg) (Patterson Veterinary, Greeley, CO, USA) subcutaneously every 12 hours for 48 hours post-surgery.