As cytotoxic (CD8(+)) T cells seem to impair shaft fracture healing, we hypothesized that depletion of CD8(+) cells would instead improve healing of cancellous bone. Additionally, we also tested if CD8-depletion would influence the healing of ruptured Achilles tendons. Rats received a single injection of either anti-CD8 antibodies or saline and put through surgery 24 h later. Three different surgical interventions were performed as follows: (1) a drill hole in the proximal tibia with microCT (BV/TV) to assess bone formation; (2) a screw in the proximal tibia with mechanical evaluation (pull-out force) to assess fracture healing; (3) Achilles tendon transection with mechanical evaluation (force-at-failure) to assess tendon healing. Furthermore, CD8-depletion was confirmed with flow cytometry on peripheral blood. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed depletion of CD8(+) cells (p amp;lt; 0.001). Contrary to our hypothesis, depletion of CD8(+) cells reduced the implant pull-out force by 19% (p amp;lt; 0.05) and stiffness by 34% (p amp;lt; 0.01), although the bone formation in the drill holes was the same as in the controls. Tendon healing was unaffected by CD8-depletion. Our results suggest that CD8(+) cells have an important part in cancellous bone healing.