Positive effects of anabolic steroids, vitamin D and calcium on muscle mass, bone mineral density and clinical function after a hip fracture

Abstract

A total of 63 women who had an operation for a fracture of the hip was randomly allocated to one year of treatment either with anabolic steroids, vitamin D and calcium (anabolic group) or with calcium only (control group). The thigh muscle volume was measured by quantitative CT. The bone mineral density of the hip, femur and tibia was assessed by quantitative CT and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and of the heel by quantitative ultrasound. Quantitative CT showed that the anabolic group did not lose muscle volume during the first 12 months whereas the control group did (p< 0.01). There was less bone loss in the proximal tibia in the anabolic group than in the control group. The speed of gait and the Harris hip score were significantly better in the anabolic group after six and 12 months. Anabolic steroids, even in this moderate dose, given in combination with vitamin D and calcium had a beneficial effect on muscle volume, bone mineral density and clinical function in this group of elderly women.

Nutritional treatment of bone fracture

“…Activities of daily life (ADL) functions were preserved in patients given the protein-rich supplementation, whereas positive effects were registered for lean body mass, ADL and quality of life in those who received the combined therapy. Similar findings were reported by Hedströ m et al [12], who randomly assigned half of 63 patients to nandrolone treatment every third week for one year, resulting in preserved lean body mass and bone density together with improved gait speed and Harris hip score.…”

Current Concepts in Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

“…95 Low-dose AASs have also been shown to improve functional outcome in elderly women after hip fracture, exhibiting a beneficial effect on muscle mass and bone mineral density. 39…”

Metabolism and catabolism in hip fracture patients: Nutritional and anabolic intervention—a review

“…In one 4-week pilot study, there were no positive effects found on ADL (Sloan et al 1992, Table). A 1-year study with nandrolone decanoate together with vitamin D and calcium resulted in retained muscle volume and a better function postoperatively (Hedström et al 2002) (Table). This was also found by Tidermark et al (2004) who reported a positive effect on lean body mass, ADL and quality of life after nandrolone decanoate treatment in combination with nutritional supplementation for 6 months after a hip fracture (Table).…”