Positive effects of anabolic steroids, vitamin D and calcium on muscle mass, bone mineral density and clinical function after a hip fracture: A randomised study of 63 women

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.

The level of vitamin D in the serum correlates with fatty degeneration of the muscles of the rotator cuff

“…The impact of vitamin D on falls might be explained by the improvement in musculoskeletal function. Hedstrom et al 36 also observed that treatment with vitamin D and calcium had a beneficial effect on muscle volume, bone mineral density and clinical function. We believe that these data on the relationship between fatty degeneration of muscles of the rotator cuff and the serum level of vitamin D are important in that tears of the cuff particularly afflict the elderly, and the prevalence of low vitamin D levels is considerably higher in that age group.…”

Quality of life and femoral neck fractures

“…In one, four weeks of weekly injections had no effect (113). In the other, nandrolone, administered to a mixed population of hip fracture patients every three weeks for one year, resulted in retained muscle volume in the injured leg as compared to the control group (57). Moreover, this study by Hedström et al showed that hip function and gait speed were better in the nandrolone-treated group.…”

“…anabolic steroids, testosterone and growth hormone, have been tested in widely varying clinical conditions and may be beneficial (54)(55)(56). For example, nandrolone administered for one year to hip fracture patients reduced the wasting of muscle and bone and improved hip function (57).…”

Addition of an Anabolic Steroid to Strength Training Promotes Muscle Strength in the Nonparetic Lower Limb of Poststroke Hemiplegia Patients

“…However, in clinical applications, AASs appear to have a favorable anabolic effect on patients with chronic diseases and muscle catabolism and on loss of muscle mass in the elderly (i.e., sarcopenia;Evans, 2004;Hoffman & Ratamess, 2006;Kicman, 2008;Orr & Fiatarone Singh, 2004). The appropriate use of AASs during rehabilitation has been reported to have beneficial effects, such as an increase in lean body mass, muscle strength, or physical activities for patients with hip fracture (Hedstrom et al, 2002), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Ferreira et al, 1998), and severe burn injury (Demling & De-Santi, 2001), especially when combined with exercise (Miller & Btaiche, 2008;Sharma et al, 2008). However, to our knowledge, there have been no investigations of the effects of AASs on stroke patients with muscle weakness.…”