Anabolic steroids after total knee arthroplasty. A double blinded prospective pilot study

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

Following TKR for osteoarthritis, 10 patients were randomized to either an anabolic steroid (nandrolone) or normal saline intramuscular injection in order to determine whether anabolic steroids resulted in faster recovery, higher muscle strength, and increased bone mineral density. Following 12 months of evaluations, there were significant increases in concentric quadriceps isokinetic strength and knee society scores in the nandrolone group. There was also a trend towards significance for sit-to-stand scores at 9 months and less bone mineral density loss compared to those who received normal saline injections.