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Anabolikong Steroyd, Testosterona, at Risk ng Pagputol ng Tendin
Anabolic steroids and testosterone are linked to a higher risk of tendon rupture, including the rotator cuff, biceps and quadriceps. How steroids and TRT affect tendons, joints, bone and recovery from surgery.
Ano ang nararamdaman mo¶
Maaaring mapansin mo ang sakit sa iyong balikat na lumalala kapag gumagawa ng gawain. Ang kaguluhan na ito ay madalas na lumala sa gabi, na nagpapakahirap sa pagtulog sa gilid na iyon. Maaaring mahirap para sa iyo na abutin ang likod ng iyong likod upang isara ang bra o itabi ang damit. Ang mga simpleng gawain tulad ng pag-angat ng mga bagay o pagtaas ng iyong braso ay maaaring maging hamon.
Isasalang-aling ng iyong doktor ang iyong hormonal na kalagayan habang sinusuri ang mga sintomas na ito. Ang mababang antas ng testosterone ay nauugnay sa mas mataas na panganib ng arthritis na dulot ng pagkasira sa kasukasuan. Ang kondisyong ito ay maaaring magdulot ng katigasan at sakit habang nababasag ang cartilage. Ang pagpapanatili ng optimal na antas ng hormone ay maaaring makatulong upang protektahan ang kalusugan ng iyong kasukasuan, ngunit ang kakulangan nito ay maaaring magpalaki ng panganib ng pinsala o muling pinsala.
Kung may reseta ng testosterone para sa iyo, maging mapagbantay na ito ay nauugnay sa mas mataas na panganib ng pagputol ng rotator cuff. Ang rotator cuff ay isang grupo ng mga kalamnan at tendon na nagpapatatag sa iyong balikat. Maaaring maranasan mo ang biglang kahinaan o sakit kung may pagputol. Mayroon ding mas mataas na panganib ng pangangailangan ng karagdagang pagkukumpuni upang ayusin ang mga pagputol na ito.
Sa ilang kaso, ang paggamit ng testosterone ay nauugnay sa mas mataas na panganib ng mga reoperation na dulot ng impeksyon pagkatapos ng total shoulder replacement. Ang total shoulder arthroplasty ay isang proseso kung saan ang mga sira na ibabaw ng kasukasuan ay pinalitan ng mga artipisyal na bahagi. Maaaring harapin mo ang mas mataas na panganib ng anumang uri ng reoperation pagkatapos ng operasyong ito. Kailangan pa ng karagdagang pananaliksik upang maunawaan kung bakit eksaktong pinapataas ng testosterone ang panganib ng pangangailangan ng karagdagang operasyon pagkatapos ng shoulder replacement.
Kung gumagamit ka ng anabolic steroids, dapat talakayin ng iyong doktor ang iyong endocrinologic na kasaysayan sa iyo. Ang anabolic steroids ay mga sintetikong sangkap na katulad ng lalaking sex hormone na testosterone. Ang paggamit nito ay maaaring mag-ambag sa pectoralis major rupture, na isang pagputol sa malaking kalamnan ng dibdib. Ang pinsalang ito ay madalas na nagdudulot ng matulis na sakit at pamumula sa harap ng balikat.
Habang patuloy na ginagamit ang anabolic steroids sa panahon ng paggaling mula sa pectoralis major rupture, hindi tila negatibong nakakaapekto ito sa functional recovery, ngunit inirerekomenda ang pag-iingat. Ang mga kliniko ay dapat magreseta ng testosterone replacement therapy nang may pag-iingat. Ibig sabihin, mabigyang-pansin nang maigi ang mga benepisyo laban sa mga panganib para sa iyong natatanging profile. Magbibigay ng payo ang iyong doktor sa mga panganib na ito upang matulungan kang gumawa ng mga desisyon na may kaalaman tungkol sa iyong paggamot.
Ano ang nangyayari talaga¶
Ang antas ng testosterone sa iyong katawan ay gumagana tulad ng dimmer switch para sa kalusugan ng kasu-kasuan at tendon. May partikular na threshold kung saan masyadong mababa o masyadong mataas ang mga antas, at ang parehong mga extreme ay maaaring mahinain ang iyong mga tisyu. Kapag ang mga antas ay suboptimal, ang makinis na coating sa mga dulo ng iyong buto—tinatawag na cartilage—ay maaaring mas mabilis na magkasuot. Ang arthritis na dulot ng wear-and-tear ay nagbabawas ng cushioning sa iyong mga kasu-kasuan, na nagpapataas ng posibilidad na mas madali silang masira.
Ang iyong mga tendon ay makapal na lubid ng mga hibla na nag-uugnay ng kalamnan sa buto. Sa ilang mga kaso, ang paggamit ng testosterone ay nauugnay sa mas mataas na panganib na masira ang mga lubid na ito. Halimbawa, ang mga bodybuilder na gumagamit ng anabolic steroids ay nakaranas ng mas maraming pectoralis major ruptures. Gayundin, ang mga pasyente na may reseta ng testosterone ay may pinataas na panganib ng rotator cuff tears sa balikat. Ang mga tear na ito ay nangyayari dahil nagbabago ang istruktura ng tisyu, na nagpapababa ng kakayahan nitong harapin ang stress.
Ang panganib na ito ay umaabot sa mga malalaking operasyon tulad ng total shoulder replacement. Ang mga lalaking gumagamit ng testosterone ay may mas mataas na tsansang kailanganin ang pangalawang operasyon pagkatapos ng unang shoulder replacement. Ito ay madalas dahil sa mga impeksyon o ibang komplikasyon na nagpapigil sa tamang paggaling. Kailangan ng iyong surgeon na malaman ang iyong kumpletong history ng hormone dahil ang mababang testosterone ay maaari ring magpalaki ng panganib ng osteoarthritis. Ang pagpapanatili ng balanseng antas ay susi upang panatilihing malakas at matatag ang iyong mga kasu-kasuan.
Habang ang ilang maikling-term na paggamit ng testosterone bago ang operasyon ay maaaring tumulong sa bone density at body composition, ang long-term o high-dose na paggamit ay may mga panganib. Ito ay maaaring magdulot ng reoperations o impeksyon na nagpapakumplikado sa iyong paggaling. Ang iyong surgeon ay susuriin ang iyong natatanging risk profile bago desisyonin ang anumang hormone therapy. Ang pag-unawa sa mga koneksyong ito ay tumutulong sa iyo at sa iyong medical team na protektahan ang iyong mga kasu-kasuan habang ginagamot at nagpapagaling.
Ano ang inaasahan¶
Titingnan ng iyong surgeon ang iyong kalusugan sa hormona bilang bahagi ng iyong kabuuang panganib sa pinsala. Ang antas ng testosterone ay may kumplikadong ugnayan sa mga problema sa balikat. Ang mababang testosterone ay nauugnay sa mas mataas na panganib ng arthritis na dulot ng pagkasira sa kasu-kasuan. Ang pagpapanatili ng malusog na antas ay maaaring tumulong upang panatilihing malakas ang iyong mga kasu-kasuan. Gayunpaman, ang paggamit ng testosterone o anabolic steroids ay maaari ring baguhin ang paraan ng pagtugon ng iyong mga tendon sa stress.
Kung i-prescribe sa iyo ang testosterone, maaaring harapin mo ang mas mataas na panganib ng pagputol ng mga tendon ng rotator cuff sa iyong balikat. Ang grupo ng mga pasyenteng ito ay nakakaranas din ng mas maraming follow-up na operasyon upang ayusin ang mga putol na ito. Kung gagamit ka ng anabolic steroids, may partikular na panganib ng pagputol ng malaking kalamnan sa dibdib. Ito ay pinakakaraniwan sa mga body builder. Kung ikaw ay naaapi na ng pagputol ng kalamnan sa dibdib, ang pagpapatuloy ng paggamit ng steroids ay tila hindi nakakasama sa iyong functional recovery.
Para sa mga lalaking nagsasagawa ng shoulder replacement surgery, ang paggamit ng testosterone ay nauugnay sa mas mataas na mga panganib. Maaaring harapin mo ang mas malaking pagkakataon ng reoperation na dulot ng impeksyon. Maaari ring harapin mo ang mas mataas na panganib ng anumang uri ng reoperation pagkatapos ng iyong pangunahing shoulder replacement. Tatalakayin ng iyong surgeon ang iyong endocrinologic history sa iyo. Bibigyan ka nila ng payo tungkol sa mga panganib ng pinsala o muling pinsala kung ikaw ay may kakulangan sa testosterone.
Kung kailangan mo ng testosterone replacement therapy, ito ay i-prescribe nang maingat. Masyadong maaga pa upang sabihin na direktang sanhi nito ang mga pinsala sa ligamento ng tuhod tulad ng pagputol ng ACL. Ngunit mahalaga ang iyong natatanging risk profile. Ilang pag-aaral ang nagpapakita na ang pagbibigay ng testosterone sa paligid ng oras ng operasyon ay maaaring mapabuti ang komposisyon ng katawan at densidad ng buto. Maaari rin nitong mapabuti ang iyong mga clinical outcome pagkatapos ng orthopaedic surgery.
Ang datos tungkol sa ibang mga panganib, tulad ng stroke sa mga kabataang matanda, ay nananatiling limitado. Kailangang bigyang-balansin ng iyong surgeon ang mga benepisyo na ito laban sa tumaas na panganib ng pagputol ng tendon at reoperations. Maging tapat tungkol sa iyong paggamit ng steroids o testosterone. Tumutulong ito sa iyong koponan na magplano ng pinakaligtas na landas para sa iyong recovery at pangmatagalang kalusugan ng kasu-kasuan.
Evidence & references
This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.
Overview¶
- Testosterone replacement therapy is associated with increased odds of surgically treated tendon rupture [1].
- Testosterone users had a 2.9-fold increased risk of tendon rupture compared to nonusers [2].
- It is premature to imply causation between testosterone replacement therapy and anterior cruciate ligament injuries based solely on existing results due to confounding variables [3].
- Clinicians should remain vigilant and prescribe testosterone replacement therapy judiciously with a thorough assessment of each patient's unique risk profile [3].
- There is a threshold-dependent relationship between testosterone levels and shoulder pathology [4].
- Hormonal status should be considered in musculoskeletal risk assessment [4].
- The use of prescription testosterone is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing a distal biceps tendon injury [5].
- The use of prescription testosterone is associated with an increased likelihood of subsequently requiring surgical repair for distal biceps tendon injury [5].
- Patients with prior prescription testosterone exposure have an increased rate of distal biceps tendon injury compared with patients without such exposure [5].
- Patients with prior prescription testosterone exposure have an increased rate of biceps tendon repair compared with patients without such exposure [5].
- Surgeons should be more intentional about discussing endocrinologic history with patients [6].
- Surgeons should counsel patients with testosterone deficiency on the risks for injury or re-injury [6].
- Testosterone replacement therapy is associated with increased tendon rupture risk in men [7].
- Testosterone replacement therapy is not associated with increased tendon rupture risk in women [7].
- The lack of increased tendon rupture risk in women may be due to sex-specific differences in dosing [7].
- Patients who filled a prescription for testosterone replacement therapy were much more likely to experience a quadriceps muscle or tendon injury within 1 year of filling their prescription [8].
- Patients who filled a prescription for testosterone replacement therapy were at increased risk of undergoing surgical repair of the quadriceps tendon [8].
- Anabolic steroid use may contribute to pectoralis major rupture in body builders [9].
- Continuation of anabolic steroids during recovery from pectoralis major rupture does not seem to have a negative effect on functional recovery [9].
- Selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) use is associated with tendon damage [10].
- Preoperative testosterone replacement therapy is a potential risk factor for complications after rotator cuff repair [11].
- Preoperative testosterone replacement therapy is a potential risk factor for reoperation after rotator cuff repair [11].
- Cessation of testosterone replacement therapy prior to rotator cuff repair should be considered on a patient-specific basis [11].
How It Works¶
- It is premature to imply causation between testosterone replacement therapy and ACL injuries based solely on existing results due to confounding variables [3].
- Clinicians should remain vigilant and prescribe TRT judiciously with a thorough assessment of each patient's unique risk profile [3].
- Findings suggest a threshold-dependent relationship between testosterone and shoulder pathology [4].
- The use of prescription testosterone is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing a distal biceps tendon injury and subsequently requiring surgical repair [5].
- Patients with prior prescription testosterone exposure have an increased rate of distal biceps tendon injury and biceps tendon repair compared with patients without such exposure [5].
- Surgeons should be more intentional about discussing endocrinologic history with patients and counseling those with testosterone deficiency on the risks for injury or re-injury [6].
- TRT is associated with increased tendon rupture risk in men but not women [7].
- The association between TRT and increased tendon rupture risk in men but not women may be due to sex-specific differences in dosing [7].
- Testosterone therapy is associated with increased odds of quadriceps tendon injury [8].
- Anabolic steroids use may contribute to pectoralis major rupture injury [9].
- SARM use is associated with tendon damage [10].
- Cessation of TRT prior to rotator cuff repair should be considered on a patient-specific basis [11].
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanism by which testosterone increases the risk of reoperation after total shoulder arthroplasty [12].
- Prescription testosterone is associated with increased risk of infection-related and all-cause reoperations after primary total shoulder arthroplasty in male patients [13].
- Testosterone use is associated with a higher risk of both infection-related and all-cause reoperations after total shoulder arthroplasty [13].
- There is increased risk of rotator cuff tears (RCTs), rotator cuff repairs (RCRs), and subsequent RCRs in patients prescribed testosterone [14].
- The observed non-linear relationship between low testosterone levels and osteoarthritis risk suggests that maintaining optimal testosterone levels may be important for joint health [15].
What the Evidence Shows¶
- The use of prescription testosterone is associated with an increased likelihood of subsequently requiring surgical repair of the distal biceps tendon [5].
- TRT is associated with increased tendon rupture risk in men [7].
- TRT is not associated with increased tendon rupture risk in women [7].
- The association between TRT and tendon rupture risk may be due to sex-specific differences in dosing [7].
- Anabolic steroids use may contribute to pectoralis major rupture [9].
- SARM use is associated with increased muscle mass [10].
- SARM use is associated with hepatotoxicity [10].
- SARM use is associated with cardiotoxicity [10].
- SARM use is associated with androgenic side effects throughout the body [10].
- Supplemental testosterone increases the risk of reoperation after total shoulder arthroplasty [12].
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanism by which testosterone increases the risk of reoperation after TSA [12].
- Prescription testosterone is associated with an increased risk of infection-related reoperations after primary total shoulder arthroplasty in male patients [13].
- Prescription testosterone is associated with an increased risk of all-cause reoperations after primary total shoulder arthroplasty in male patients [13].
- There is an increased risk of rotator cuff tears (RCTs) in patients prescribed testosterone [14].
- There is an increased risk of rotator cuff repairs (RCRs) in patients prescribed testosterone [14].
- There is an increased risk of subsequent rotator cuff repairs (RCRs) in patients prescribed testosterone [14].
- Four randomized controlled trials found that testosterone supplementation improved clinical outcomes in orthopaedic surgeries [17].
- Four randomized controlled trials found that testosterone supplementation improved body composition in orthopaedic surgeries [17].
- Four randomized controlled trials found that testosterone supplementation improved bone mineral density (BMD) in orthopaedic surgeries [17].
- Evidence regarding orthopaedic perioperative use of testosterone replacement therapy is heterogeneous [17].
- Patients prescribed at least 3 months of TRT had a significantly higher incidence of ACL injuries compared to controls within a 2-year follow-up period [18].
- Injectable TRT use within 1 year of primary ACL reconstruction is associated with a 3.3-fold increase in ACLR revision rates with 2 years of follow-up [19].
- Data regarding the safety of testosterone supplementation and its association with stroke in young adults remains limited and underexplored [20].
Practical Considerations¶
- The association between testosterone replacement therapy and increased tendon rupture risk in men but not women may be due to sex-specific differences in dosing [7].
- Anabolic steroid use may contribute to pectoralis major rupture [9].
- Prescription testosterone is associated with increased risk of infection-related reoperations after primary total shoulder arthroplasty in male patients [13].
- Prescription testosterone is associated with increased risk of all-cause reoperations after primary total shoulder arthroplasty in male patients [13].
- Authors suggest future areas of investigation that may provide guidance on how surgeons can mitigate adverse risks while optimizing benefits of testosterone replacement therapy in the orthopaedic patient [16].
Key Evidence¶
- [L3] Testosterone replacement therapy is associated with increased odds of surgically treated tendon rupture. [1] (10.1177/2325967125s00009)
- [L3] Testosterone users had a 2.9-fold increased risk of tendon rupture compared to nonusers. [2] (10.1177/2325967124s00339)
- [L5] It is premature to imply causation between testosterone replacement therapy and ACL injuries based solely on existing results due to confounding variables; clinicians should remain vigilant and prescribe TRT judiciously with a thorough assessment of each patient's unique risk profile. [3] (10.1016/j.arthro.2024.11.086)
- [L3] These findings suggest a threshold-dependent relationship between testosterone and shoulder pathology and highlight the need to consider hormonal status in musculoskeletal risk assessment. [4] (10.1016/j.jse.2026.01.012)
- [L3] Patients with prior prescription testosterone exposure have an increased rate of distal biceps tendon injury and biceps tendon repair compared with patients without such exposure. [5] (10.1016/j.jse.2023.02.122)
- [L5] The author advises surgeons to be more intentional about discussing endocrinologic history with patients and counseling those with testosterone deficiency on the risks for injury or re-injury. [6] (10.1097/corr.0000000000002835)
- [L3] TRT is associated with increased tendon rupture risk in men but not women, potentially due to sex-specific differences in dosing. [7] (10.1177/23259671261430731)
- [L3] Patients who filled a prescription for testosterone replacement therapy were much more likely to experience a quadriceps muscle or tendon injury within 1 year of filling their prescription and were at increased risk of undergoing surgical repair of the quadriceps tendon. [8] (10.1097/corr.0000000000002744)
- [L4] Anabolic steroids use may contribute to the injury, but continuation during recovery does not seem to have a negative effect on functional recovery. [9] (10.1186/s12891-023-06382-1)
- [L4] SARM use is associated with increased muscle mass, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, tendon damage, and androgenic side effects throughout the body. [10] (10.1177/03635465241252435)
- [L3] Cessation of TRT prior to rotator cuff repair should be considered on a patient-specific basis. [11] (10.1016/j.jseint.2025.10.002)
- [L3] Further research is needed to understand the mechanism by how testosterone increases the risk of reoperation after TSA. [12] (10.1177/2325967124s00118)
- [L2] Testosterone use is associated with a higher risk of both infection-related and all-cause reoperations after total shoulder arthroplasty. [13] (10.1016/j.jseint.2026.101634)
- [L3] There is increased risk of RCTs, RCRs, and subsequent RCRs in patients prescribed testosterone. [14] (10.5435/jaaos-d-22-00554)
- [L3] The observed non-linear relationship suggests that maintaining optimal testosterone levels may be important for joint health. [15] (10.1186/s12891-024-08272-6)
- [L5] The authors suggest future areas of investigation that may provide guidance on how surgeons can mitigate adverse risks while optimizing benefits of TRT in the orthopaedic patient. [16] (10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00348)
- [L2] Although evidence regarding orthopaedic perioperative use of testosterone replacement therapy is heterogeneous, 4 randomized controlled trials reviewed here found that testosterone supplementation improved clinical outcomes, body composition, and BMD. [17] (10.1016/j.arthro.2024.12.026)
- [L3] This study found that patients prescribed at least 3 months of TRT had a significantly higher incidence of ACL injuries compared to controls within a 2-year follow-up period. [18] (10.1016/j.arthro.2024.10.032)
- [L3] Injectable TRT use within 1 year of primary ACLR is associated with a 3.3-fold increase in ACLR revision rates with 2 years of follow-up. [19] (10.1177/23259671251399845)
- [L4] The review highlights that while testosterone supplementation is increasing, data regarding its safety and association with stroke in young adults remains limited and underexplored. [20] (10.3389/fneur.2024.1422931)
References¶
[1] Testosterone Replacement Therapy Increases Odds of Tendon Ruptures Treated Surgically. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/2325967125s00009
[2] Poster 374: Tendon Tears Among Patients Treated with Exogenous Therapeutic Anabolic Steroids: An Eight Year Retrospective Analysis in a Single Institution. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2024. DOI: 10.1177/2325967124s00339
[3] Editorial Commentary: Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk: Insights and Cautions for Clinical Application. Arthroscopy. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2024.11.086
[4] Testosterone levels and risk of adhesive capsulitis: a 1:1 propensity matched analysis. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2026.01.012
[5] The use of prescription testosterone is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing a distal biceps tendon injury and subsequently requiring surgical repair. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2023.02.122
[6] CORR Insights®: Testosterone Therapy Is Associated With Increased Odds of Quadriceps Tendon Injury. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002835
[7] Testosterone Therapy and Associated Rates of Tendon Tear and Surgical Repair: A Retrospective Analysis. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/23259671261430731
[8] Testosterone Therapy Is Associated With Increased Odds of Quadriceps Tendon Injury. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002744
[9] Pectoralis major rupture in body builders: a case series including anabolic steroid use. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06382-1
[10] Athlete Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators Abuse: A Systematic Review. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/03635465241252435
[11] Preoperative testosterone replacement therapy: a potential risk-factor for complications and reoperation after rotator cuff repair. JSES International. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2025.10.002
[12] Poster 149: Supplemental Testosterone Increases Risk of Reoperation after Total Shoulder Arthroplasty. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2024. DOI: 10.1177/2325967124s00118
[13] Prescription testosterone is associated with increased risk of infection-related and all-cause reoperations after primary total shoulder arthroplasty in male patients. JSES International. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2026.101634
[14] The Relationship Between Testosterone Therapy and Rotator Cuff Tears, Repairs, and Revision Repairs. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2023. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-22-00554
[15] Correlation between low testosterone levels and the risk of osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data (2011–2016). BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-08272-6
[16] Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Orthopaedic Surgery. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2024. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00348
[17] Perioperative Testosterone Supplementation Improves Outcomes of Orthopaedic Surgeries: A Systematic Review of Heterogeneous Studies. Arthroscopy. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2024.12.026
[18] Prescription Testosterone Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. Arthroscopy. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2024.10.032
[19] Injectable Testosterone Replacement Therapy Within 1 Year Before ACL Reconstruction Is Associated With Increased Revision Rates. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/23259671251399845
[20] Testosterone supplementation and stroke in young adults: a review of the literature. Frontiers in Neurology. 2024. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1422931