Effects of protein-rich supplementation and nandrolone in lean elderly women with femoral neck fractures.

What was studied

A randomized, open-label study tested protein supplementation alone or combined with nandrolone after femoral-neck fracture, measuring lean mass, daily function, quality of life, and healing.

Who / model studied

Sixty lean older women, mean age 83 years, underwent internal fixation for femoral-neck fracture.

Studied dose & schedule

For six months, groups received protein drink providing 20 g/day, the same drink plus nandrolone decanoate 25 mg intramuscularly every three weeks, or control.

What the study found

Lean mass changed −1.2 kg in control, −1.2 kg with protein alone, and +0.3 kg with protein plus nandrolone. Daily-living ability declined in control but remained high in both intervention groups. Adverse events were not reported in the abstract.

Limitations & context

The trial was small and open-label. Because nandrolone was combined with protein, its independent effect cannot be isolated; DXA lean mass is not direct muscle-size measurement.

Read summary source ↗ · Prepared 10/6/2026 · AI-assisted, source-based summary