Anabolic steroids benefits millions of people around the world with several medical conditions. Among those who commonly use anabolic steroids are burn victims and patients with hormonal deficiencies. They are also approved for the treatment of anemia and muscle wasting.

The main action of anabolic steroids is building of muscle mass and strength. This is the primary reason for Dr. Spero Karas, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery in the University of North Carolina, to conduct a study about shoulder tears and anabolic steroids.

In the study, bioengineered shoulder tissues and suprasinatus tendon cells were used. The researchers then administered nandrolone decanoate to the developing tissue before they were subjected to mechanical strain.

The tendons were observed to be smaller but denser and stronger. They were more elastic compared to tissue cells not treated with steroids. They also responded well to the load than those not treated with anabolic steroids.

There is, however, one dilemma troubling the orthopedic surgeons, difficulty during rotator cuff repairs, caused by atrophy and degeneration of the tendon, especially if trauma already happened a long time ago.

Researchers were hoping that the study would be able to contribute to the over-all healing of tendons after surgery.

According to The Medical News:

New research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill indicates that treatment with anabolic steroids may improve surgical repair of massive or recurrent tears of the shoulder’s rotator cuff tendons.

Such injuries extend well beyond the world of high-performance athletes, professional and collegiate – often occurring among older weekend athletes, including tennis and golf players. The study, which appears in the June issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine, was led by Dr. Spero Karas, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery in UNC’s School of Medicine.