Suspend complete Freund's adjuvant by vortexing at least five seconds. Then, draw 100 microliters of suspension into an insulin injector.
After anesthetizing, mark the chosen paw and inject 20 microliters of complete Freund's adjuvant from the injector into four periarticular spots on the ankle joint space. Put the processed mice in a new chamber. Monitor the mice to ensure that they are breathing until they regain the ability to move. Every three days, use a pocket thickness gauge to measure the ankle joint diameter.
Also, assess arthritis severity by arthritis scoring criterion. Zero is normal. No evidence of erythema and swelling.
One is the mildest arthritis. Erythema and mild swelling confined to the tarsals or ankle joint. Two is the moderate arthritis. Erythema and mild swelling extending from the ankle to the tarsals. Three is the severe arthritis. Erythema and moderate swelling extending from the ankle to metatarsal joints. Four is the most severe arthritis. Erythema and severe swelling encompass the ankle, foot, and digits, or ankylosis of the limb.
