Effects of short-term treatment with systemic prednisone on bone healing: an experimental study in rats

Long-term systemic use of corticosteroids causes osteoporosis and increased risk of fracture. However, the effect of short-term use of corticosteroids on bone healing is not well defined. The aim of the present study was to test the influence of short-term systemic corticosteroid therapy on bone healing. Standardized bone defects (2 mm diameter) were formed in the middle of the femur in 40 male rats. Rats were divided into two groups; control group (n = 20) and prednisone-treated group (n = 20). Subcutaneous injection of either sterile normal saline (control) or 0.020 mg kg(-1) dose of prednisone was administered just before surgery and thereafter daily for 3 days. Histopathological cross sections were taken 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference between the prednisone group and the control group. No inhibitory effects were seen following short-term corticosteroid treatment.