The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on fracture healing in elderly patients.

We analyzed the radiologic results in 14 patients. Group I (n=7) was administrated intermittent PTH after surgical treatment and group II (n=7) was treated only with surgery. We checked the time of initial callus formation, bridging callus formation, and bone union through periodic follow-up radiographs by a radiologist who did not know the patient's information.

The mean time to initial callus formation was 6 weeks for group I, compared with 6.7 weeks for group II. The mean time to bridging callus formation was 15.9 weeks for group I, compared with 23.0 weeks for group II. The mean time to bone union was 28.7 weeks for group I, compared with 41.9 weeks for group II. The difference in the cumulative detection rate (CDR) of the initial callus formation of group I and II was not statistically significant (p=0.793). However, the CDR of the bridging callus formation and bone union for group I were higher than those of group II (p=0.008, p=0.001, respectively).

The intermittent PTH administration after surgical treatment and maximum possible preservation of the periosteum in elderly patients accelerates fracture healing.