Fractures of the fibula were produced in rats with sciatic denervation. The denervated rats exhibited more rapid fracture healing than controls. Fifteen days following injury, enhanced union was measured by histologic assessment (p < 0.001), and biomechanical testing including fracture stress (p < 0.005), elastic modulus (p < 0.005), strain at failure (p = 0.01) and energy to failure (p = 0.05).