title: Local erythropoietin injection in tibiofibular fracture healing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erythropoietin (EPO), in addition to its function as an erythropoiesis regulator has a regenerative activity on some nonhematopoietic tissues. Animal studies have suggested a role for erythropoietin in bone healing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of local EPO injection in healing of tibiofibular fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective double blind study, 60 patients with tibiofibular fracture were divided to equal EPO or placebo groups, randomly. Patients received local injection of either EPO or a placebo to the site of fracture two weeks after surgical fixation. Patients were followed by clinical and radiographic examination to determine the union rate. The period of fracture union and incidence of nonunion were compared between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The demographic data and types of fractures were similar in the both groups. The mean duration of the fracture union was 2.1 weeks shorter in those treated with EPO (P = 0.01). Nonunion was observed in 6 patients of the control group and 2 receiving EPO (P = 0.02). No patient experienced any adverse effect from local EPO injections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPO injection into the site of tibiofibular fractures may possibly accelerate healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hooman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bakhshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamhossein
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kazemian
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emami
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nemati
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karimi Yarandi
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Research Center, Akhtar Orthopedic Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Farshad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Safdari
keywords: Bone; Erythropoietin; Fractures; Wound Healing