Protocol to develop a preclinical severe contusive-compressive SCI mouse model for translational research

Complete spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to irreversible neurological damage due to failed neural repair, with no effective therapies currently available. Here, we present a protocol to induce severe contusive-compressive SCI at thoracic T11 level in mouse using the NYU-MASCIS II impactor. We describe steps for performing laminectomy, inducing the injury, and validating it through functional and histological analysis. This protocol replicates key aspects of human secondary injury, making it valuable for preclinical testing of SCI therapies.