The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recognizes that although anabolic steroids may enhance athletic performance by increasing both the size and strength of athletes, their use can cause serious harmful physiological, pathological, and psychological effects.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons believes that anabolic steroids should not be used to enhance performance or appearance, and that they be banned from use in all sports programs. We recommend that sports-governing bodies make every effort to deter and to detect their use. When feasible, the relevant sports medicine bodies should implement aggressive drug testing programs to detect their use and impose harsh penalties for those athletes who use them and those individuals or institutions who facilitate their use.
The Code of Ethics for Orthopaedic Surgeons specifically addresses this issue. It provides in Paragraph VII.B:
". . . It is unethical to prescribe controlled substances when they are not medically indicated. It is also unethical to prescribe substances for the sole purpose of enhancing athletic performance."
Use of anabolic steroids has been associated with the following adverse effects: increased risk of benign and malignant tumors of the liver, testes, and prostate; increased risk of serious cardiovascular disease; impaired reproductive functioning in males and females which may be irreversible; tendon weakening and potential ruptures; irreversible closure of bone growth centers in adolescents; menstrual irregularity; and psychological dependence which may lead to withdrawal symptoms and depression upon the cessation of use. Major personality changes may occur, manifested by increasing aggressiveness and intensity which may lead to intense anti-social or psychotic behavior.
The use of performance-enhancing substances by athletes represents a most serious violation of ethical standards of organized sports activities at all levels, and should not be tolerated.
Recent legislation classifies anabolic steroids as controlled substances, and imposes restrictions on their distribution and use. The Academy strongly supports law enforcement agencies in their efforts to enforce existing legislation to control the distribution and use of anabolic steroids.
© December 1991 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
This material may not be modified without the express written permission of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Document Number: 1102
For additional information, contact Alvin Nagelberg at (847) 384-4138 or email nagelberg@mac.aaos.org