A method for treating a defect site in a living bone of an animal by applying an exogenous compound having thrombopoietic activity to the defect site in an amount effective to induce thrombopoiesis. The exogenous compound activates a thrombopoietin receptor, leading to accelerated bone formation at the defect site. Also provided is a method for repairing a segmental bone defect in an animal bone by inserting into the segmental bone defect a biodegradable bone repair scaffold that contains a compound having thrombopoietic activity. The compound activates a thrombopoietin receptor and accelerates bone formation such that bridging occurs at the segmental bone defect.
