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Therapeutic Effects of Bovine Colostrum on Bone Healing, Rehabilitation, and Postoperative Complications: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Comparative Trial.

  • 2025-04-18
  • The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume 107(12)
    • Faezeh Gouhari
    • Zahra Vahdat Shariatpanahi
    • Shahin Talebi
    • Amir Mehrvar
    • Majid Momeny
    • Akbar Ehsani
    • Ahmadreza Ahmadi-Abdashti
    • Reza Zandi

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 116
Population
116 patients with extracapsular hip fracture undergoing internal fixation
Methods
Randomized to receive bovine colostrum or whey protein; bone healing assessed using Radiographic Union Score for Hip (RUSH); physical rehabilitation using Harris hip score (HHS) and Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) within 3 months postoperatively; monitored for complications for 12 months
Duration
3 months
Funding
Unclear
  • Large Human Trial

Background

Accelerated recovery from bone injuries is a paramount health-care goal with substantial impacts on physical status and overall well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of colostrum supplementation on bone healing in patients with a traumatic extracapsular hip fracture (ECF).

Methods

Patients with an ECF undergoing internal fixation were randomly assigned to receive either bovine colostrum or whey protein. Bone healing was assessed using the Radiographic Union Score for Hip (RUSH). Physical rehabilitation was evaluated using the Harris hip score (HHS) and the Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) within 3 months postoperatively. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to assess the time-by-group interactions of these longitudinal variables. Patients were monitored for postoperative complications for 12 months, with the risk difference (RD) and risk ratio (RR) calculated.

Results

A total of 116 patients with an ECF were included in the final analysis (colostrum group, n = 59; whey group, n = 57). Baseline characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, and body mass index, were similar between the groups (p > 0.05 for all). The colostrum group had a significantly greater increase in the RUSH score (β = 0.88; p = 0.001) and HHS (β = 1.2; p = 0.001) over time compared with the whey group. SMFA dysfunction and bother indices demonstrated significantly greater decreases over time in the colostrum group compared with the whey group (β = -1.2 and -2.4, respectively; p < 0.001 for both).

Conclusions

The present study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that colostrum may accelerate bone healing and enhance short-term physical rehabilitation outcomes more effectively than whey protein.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Research Insights

  • Bovine Colostrum→Improved Harris Hip Score

    The colostrum group had a significantly greater increase in the RUSH score (β = 0.88; p = 0.001) and HHS (β = 1.2; p = 0.001) over time compared with the whey group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Bovine Colostrum→Improved Hip Fracture Healing

    The colostrum group had a significantly greater increase in the RUSH score (β = 0.88; p = 0.001) over time compared with the whey group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Bovine Colostrum→Reduced Musculoskeletal Dysfunction

    SMFA dysfunction and bother indices demonstrated significantly greater decreases over time in the colostrum group compared with the whey group (β = -1.2 and -2.4, respectively; p < 0.001 for both).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Bovine Colostrum→Reduced Musculoskeletal Pain

    SMFA dysfunction and bother indices demonstrated significantly greater decreases over time in the colostrum group compared with the whey group (β = -1.2 and -2.4, respectively; p < 0.001 for both).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Whey Protein→Improved Harris Hip Score

    The colostrum group had a significantly greater increase in the RUSH score (β = 0.88; p = 0.001) and HHS (β = 1.2; p = 0.001) over time compared with the whey group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Whey Protein→Improved Hip Fracture Healing

    The colostrum group had a significantly greater increase in the RUSH score (β = 0.88; p = 0.001) over time compared with the whey group.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Whey Protein→Reduced Musculoskeletal Dysfunction

    SMFA dysfunction and bother indices demonstrated significantly greater decreases over time in the colostrum group compared with the whey group (β = -1.2 and -2.4, respectively; p < 0.001 for both).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Whey Protein→Reduced Musculoskeletal Pain

    SMFA dysfunction and bother indices demonstrated significantly greater decreases over time in the colostrum group compared with the whey group (β = -1.2 and -2.4, respectively; p < 0.001 for both).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
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