Evaluation of serum vitamin D levels and their impact on functional outcomes among patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

TL;DR

Low vitamin D levels before knee replacement surgery are linked to worse recovery outcomes, suggesting pre-surgery correction could help patients recover better.

Contribution

This study shows that correcting vitamin D deficiency before TKA improves functional recovery outcomes.

Findings

Patients with sufficient vitamin D had significantly better KSS scores at 6 months.

Deficient patients had higher WOMAC scores, indicating worse joint function.

Vitamin D deficiency was an independent predictor of poorer recovery after adjusting for confounders.

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is common among patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and may adversely affect postoperative
recovery. This prospective study of 120 patients evaluated the association between preoperative serum vitamin D levels and functional
outcomes using KSS and WOMAC scores. Patients with sufficient vitamin D (≥30 ng/mL) showed significantly better KSS (85.2 ±
6.3) and lower WOMAC (18.3 ± 5.2) scores at 6 months compared to deficient individuals (p < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency
remained an independent predictor of poorer recovery after adjustment for confounders. Preoperative correction of vitamin D deficiency
may improve functional outcomes following TKA.