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Education · general-health

Vitamin D and Musculoskeletal Health Info Evidence

Reviewed by Dr Kieran Hirpara, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon Last reviewed

What it is

Vitamin D is a nutrient your body makes when your skin is in sunlight. It also comes from some foods and from supplements. Your bones need it to stay strong, and your muscles and tendons use it too.

If your vitamin D level is low, it can affect your bones and your recovery from injury or surgery. Research links low vitamin D with more tears of the knee ligament called the anterior cruciate ligament, and with a higher chance of that ligament reconstruction failing [1]. Low levels have also been linked with stress fractures in people at high risk, which is why checking vitamin D is suggested for those groups [2]. In people with wear-and-tear arthritis of the knee, low vitamin D is common, and lower levels are linked with arthritis in both knees and aching in several joints at once [3].

Vitamin D is thought to work like a builder's supply of materials. Your body draws on it to maintain bone and to help tissue heal. Studies suggest it may support tendon healing, especially after rotator cuff repair, though that research is limited and of modest quality [4]. In lab work on rabbits, combining vitamin D delivered through the bloodstream with vitamin D placed at the repair site improved tendon-to-bone healing, muscle regrowth and repair strength [5].

Not every finding points the same way. A review found that low vitamin D before surgery is linked with fatty change in the rotator cuff muscle, but this did not justify routine testing for everyone having rotator cuff repair [6]. Evidence on vitamin D supplements after knee replacement is also mixed and not strong enough to support giving them to all patients [7]. Your doctor may check your level if you fall into a higher-risk group, and treat a deficiency if one is found.

Does it work?

The honest answer is that vitamin D matters for bone health, but the evidence on supplements improving surgery results is mixed.

Some findings are consistent. Low vitamin D is common in people with knee arthritis, and lower levels are linked with arthritis in both knees and aching in several joints at once [3]. Low vitamin D before shoulder replacement is linked with more medical problems afterwards [8]. Keeping your vitamin D level up may also improve your chances of living longer after hip fracture surgery [9].

Other findings are less clear. A large review of trials found that calcium and vitamin D supplements together did not reduce the chance of breaking a bone in women with osteoporosis after menopause, even though the supplements did improve bone density readings [10]. In knee replacement patients, a single large dose of vitamin D given on the day of surgery made no difference to early recovery or complications compared with a dummy pill [11]. For rotator cuff repair, a review concluded that routine testing and supplements are not justified for everyone having that operation [6].

The research itself has limits. Studies on vitamin D and tendon healing after surgery are few and of modest quality [4]. Some work is on single joints or small groups, so the results may not apply to everyone.

What this means for you is straightforward. Vitamin D is worth having at a healthy level, especially before surgery, because low levels are linked with poorer outcomes in several settings. But taking extra vitamin D on top of a healthy level has not been shown to speed up recovery or prevent complications. Your doctor may check your level if you are in a higher-risk group, and treat a deficiency if one is found.

What are the risks?

The main risk here is not the vitamin D itself. It is the risk of having a low level and not knowing about it. Low vitamin D before surgery is linked with more medical problems after shoulder replacement [8]. It is also a risk factor you can change: one study of people with Charcot arthropathy, a foot joint condition linked to nerve damage, suggested correcting low vitamin D as part of both surgical and non-surgical care [12].

There are some honest limits to what supplements can do. A single large dose of vitamin D on the day of knee replacement made no difference to early recovery compared with a dummy pill [11]. Even when people with low levels take medium-to-high dose supplements, only 33.7% brought their level back to normal [13]. So treating a deficiency takes time and does not always work with one course.

The evidence on some points is genuinely thin. Studies on vitamin D and tendon healing after surgery are few and of modest quality [4]. A review found that low vitamin D before surgery is linked with fatty change in the rotator cuff muscle, but it did not justify routine testing for everyone having that operation [6]. Researchers are still working out whether fixing a low level improves results after knee ligament reconstruction [14].

If your doctor thinks you are at higher risk, they may check your level before surgery. This is suggested for people with levels below 20 ng/mL having hip fracture surgery [15], and low levels are more common in joint replacement patients seen in winter [16]. If a deficiency is found, treating it before surgery may help prevent delayed wound healing after some hand operations [17].

Is it right for you?

There is no single test that decides this. It comes down to your own risk. Checking your vitamin D level makes sense if you are in a higher-risk group, and your doctor can guide that choice with you.

Some situations point towards a check. If your level is below 20 ng/mL before hip fracture surgery, screening beforehand is suggested [15]. Low levels are more common in joint replacement patients seen in winter [16]. Before some hand operations, knowing your level may help prevent delayed wound healing, and treating a deficiency first may help too [17]. Low vitamin D before shoulder replacement is a risk you can change, which is why it is worth finding [8].

Other situations point away from routine testing. A review found that testing everyone having rotator cuff repair is not justified [6]. The same applies to giving supplements to all knee replacement patients [7]. If your level is already healthy, extra vitamin D has not been shown to improve surgery results.

Where does this leave you? If you are in a higher-risk group, a simple check before surgery is reasonable. If a deficiency is found, treating it takes time and may need more than one course. If your level is fine, supplements on top are unlikely to add anything.

This is a decision to make together with your doctor. Bring up any concerns about your bones, your healing or your recovery, and ask whether a check would help in your case.

The bottom line

Vitamin D is worth having at a healthy level, especially before surgery. Low levels are linked with poorer outcomes in several settings, and a deficiency is a risk you can change. If you are in a higher-risk group, a simple check before surgery is reasonable. If your level is fine, extra supplements have not been shown to improve surgery results.

Reviewed by Kieran Hirpara · 13 June 2026.

Want the clinical detail? Read the clinician version.

Talk to your treating clinician for advice specific to you.

References
  1. A Diagnosis of Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Increased Rates of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears and Reconstruction Failure. *Arthroscopy*. 2023. 10.1016/j.arthro.2023.04.011
  2. Vitamin D and the Risk of Stress Fractures in Athletes and Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. *The American Journal of Sports Medicine*. 2026. 10.1177/03635465261441254
  3. Association between vitamin D deficiency, inflammatory markers, and knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective study. *Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research*. 2025. 10.1186/s13018-025-05805-0
  4. The Role of Vitamin D in Postoperative Tendon Healing: A Scoping Review. *Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine*. 2025. 10.1177/23259671251371300
  5. Localized vitamin D delivery via 3D-printed nanofiber sheets combined with systemic supplementation enhances tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model: a preclinical study. *Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery*. 2026. 10.1016/j.jse.2025.12.003
  6. Preoperative serum vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased rotator cuff fatty degeneration but is unlikely to influence post repair outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of correlation coefficients. *JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques*. 2025. 10.1016/j.xrrt.2025.02.006
  7. Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes: A Systematic Review. *Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine*. 2026. 10.1177/23259671261432670
  8. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with adverse medical outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty. *JSES International*. 2025. 10.1016/j.jseint.2025.01.010
  9. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels, Free Serum Calcium, Glomerular Filtration Rate, Albumin, and Femoral Fracture Elderly Patient Mortality. *JAAOS: Global Research and Reviews*. 2026. 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-25-00108
  10. The effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density and fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. *BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders*. 2025. 10.1186/s12891-025-09089-7
  11. Vitamin D3 Supplementation Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. *The Journal of Arthroplasty*. 2023. 10.1016/j.arth.2022.08.020
  12. Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Charcot Arthropathy: A Single-Center Analysis. *JAAOS: Global Research and Reviews*. 2022. 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-22-00162
  13. Vitamin D Supplementation May Prevent or Treat Deficiency After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. *Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons*. 2024. 10.5435/jaaos-d-24-00005
  14. Regarding “A Diagnosis of Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Increased Rates of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears and Reconstruction Failure”. *Arthroscopy*. 2024. 10.1016/j.arthro.2023.07.033
  15. Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on Short- and Long-Term Mortality in Patients Receiving Hip Fracture Surgery Under General Anesthesia: A Matched Cohort Study. *The Journal of Arthroplasty*. 2025. 10.1016/j.arth.2025.04.080
  16. Higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among arthroplasty patients presenting in winter. *Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research*. 2025. 10.1186/s13018-025-06482-9
  17. The Effect of Serum Vitamin D Level on Wound Healing Process After Open Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery: Clinical Outcomes of 55 Cases. *Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons*. 2025. 10.5435/jaaos-d-25-00410
Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Overview

  • More research is needed to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone health and injury risk in elite athletes [1].
  • A diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased rates of anterior cruciate ligament tears and reconstruction failure [2].
  • Vitamin D status should be assessed in high-risk populations to guide preventive strategies focused on maintaining optimal levels regarding stress fracture risk [3].
  • Educational initiatives and revised guidelines may have improved vitamin D prescription rates after fragility fracture, but there is a need to raise awareness about the importance of vitamin D for bone health, particularly in older adults [4].
  • Vitamin D represents a potentially modifiable risk factor that could be optimized during both surgical and nonsurgical management of patients with Charcot arthropathy [5].
  • Regular vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces the likelihood of deficiency among arthroplasty patients presenting in winter [6].
  • Determining vitamin D levels preoperatively and providing supplementation if deficiency is present may be beneficial for preventing delayed wound healing after open carpal tunnel release surgery [7].
  • Evidence suggests vitamin D may support tendon healing, particularly in rotator cuff repair, although studies remain low quality and limited to a single tendon group [8].
  • Targeted interventions are needed to optimize musculoskeletal and metabolic health in adolescents with vitamin D deficiency and adverse body composition [9].
  • Preoperative vitamin D screening and potential supplementation strategies are important for patients who have vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL undergoing hip fracture surgery under general anesthesia [10].
  • Nonselective preoperative vitamin D supplementation appears to be more cost-effective than selective supplementation in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, likely due to the lower cost of 25(OH)D supplementation compared to serum assays [11].
  • Administering an oral 300,000 U single-dose vitamin D regimen to correct vitamin D deficiency can positively impact outcomes following primary total joint arthroplasty [12].
  • Peptide supplements should not currently be recommended as a replacement or adjunct for existing orthopaedic standard of care due to the lack of robust efficacy and safety data [13].
  • Orthopedic surgeons should recognize vitamin D deficiency as a potential modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications in total shoulder arthroplasty [14].
  • Findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis do not justify routine testing and supplementation of vitamin D in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair [19].
  • Hand grip strength, vitamin D status, and diets might be considered diagnostic non-invasive predictors of bone health for clinical use in epidemiological contexts in 6–12 years old school children [21].
  • Current evidence is inconsistent and insufficient to support universal vitamin D supplementation for total knee arthroplasty outcomes [22].
  • Recommendations for data capture relating to female athlete population characteristics, and injuries, illnesses and other health consequences, will improve the quality of epidemiological studies to inform better injury and illness prevention strategies [28].

How It Works

Bone Health and Fracture Risk

  • Vitamin D status should be assessed in high-risk populations to guide preventive strategies focused on maintaining optimal levels [3].
  • Preoperative vitamin D screening and potential supplementation strategies are important for patients who have vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL [10].
  • Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may improve longer term survival after proximal femoral fracture surgery, although vitamin D status alone may not influence immediate recovery [18].
  • Active vitamin D3 treatment promoted fracture healing by affecting the levels of immune factors in osteoporotic fracture patients [23].
  • Sixteen weeks of high-intensity interval training and vitamin D consumption showed greater benefits for bone mineral density levels in women with osteoporosis than either vitamin D consumption or high-intensity interval training alone [17].
  • Regular vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces the likelihood of deficiency [6].
  • Low-dose vitamin D supplementation was beneficial for vitamin D–sufficient total knee arthroplasty patients to achieve higher levels and maintain sufficiency [20].
  • Deficient patients benefitted from medium-to-high dose vitamin D supplementation after total knee arthroplasty, though only 33.7% achieved repletion [20].
  • Hand grip strength, vitamin D status, and diets might be considered diagnostic non-invasive predictors of bone health for clinical use in epidemiological contexts [21].

Soft Tissue Healing and Musculoskeletal Integrity

  • Evidence suggests vitamin D may support tendon healing, particularly in rotator cuff repair, though studies remain low quality and limited to a single tendon group [8].
  • Combining systemic and localized vitamin D delivery significantly enhanced tendon-to-bone healing, muscle regeneration, and biomechanical strength in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model compared to other treatment groups [24].
  • Lower preoperative serum vitamin D levels had a strong correlation with lower tissue vitamin D levels and lower serum vitamin D levels at 1 year after rotator cuff repair surgery [27].
  • Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine expression in the deltoid muscle of patients with rotator cuff tears, unlike in the supraspinatus muscle [30].
  • Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with the expression of myogenesis-related or muscle atrophy–related genes in the supraspinatus muscle of patients with rotator cuff tears [30].
  • Preoperative serum vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased rotator cuff fatty degeneration but is unlikely to influence post repair outcomes [19].

Inflammation and Immune Modulation

  • Supplementation with vitamin D 10,000 IU/day for 8 weeks can increase vitamin D levels >50 ng/dl to optimally act as an immunomodulator in tuberculosis spondylitis patients [16].
  • Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in knee osteoarthritis patients and its severity is associated with bilateral osteoarthritis and polyarthralgia but not with inflammatory markers [15].

Clinical Management and Outcomes

  • Further research is necessary to elucidate the direct role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of rotator cuff tears and its impact on clinical outcomes after rotator cuff surgery and total shoulder arthroplasty [25].
  • Future research should determine whether correcting hypovitaminosis D improves outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament injury [31].

What the Evidence Shows

Injury Risk and Prevalence

  • Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in knee osteoarthritis patients [15].
  • The severity of vitamin D deficiency in knee osteoarthritis patients is associated with bilateral osteoarthritis and polyarthralgia [15].
  • The severity of vitamin D deficiency in knee osteoarthritis patients is not associated with inflammatory markers [15].
  • Higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is observed among arthroplasty patients presenting in winter [6].
  • Lower preoperative serum vitamin D levels have a strong correlation with lower tissue vitamin D levels and lower serum vitamin D levels at 1 year after rotator cuff repair surgery [27].

Fracture and Bone Health Outcomes

  • Preoperative vitamin D screening and potential supplementation strategies are important for patients who have vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL undergoing hip fracture surgery [10].
  • Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation may improve pelvic bone mineral density and correct serum 25OHD deficiencies in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis [32].
  • Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation does not reduce clinical fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis [32].
  • Regular sling core stabilization training based on calcium and vitamin D supplementation can improve bone mineral density and prevent low back pain in a patient with primary osteoporosis over a 6-year period [34].

Surgical Outcomes and Complications

  • Preoperative vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased rotator cuff fatty degeneration but is unlikely to influence post-repair outcomes [19].
  • The findings regarding rotator cuff repair do not justify routine testing and supplementation of vitamin D in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair [19].
  • Vitamin D deficiency is associated with adverse medical outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty [14].
  • Supplementation with 50,000 international units vitamin D3 on the day of surgery failed to demonstrate statistically significant differences in functional Knee Society Score, Timed Up and Go Test times, or complications in the early postoperative period compared to placebo for total knee arthroplasty [33].
  • Deficient total knee arthroplasty patients benefited from medium-to-high dose vitamin D supplementation, though only 33.7% achieved repletion [20].

Supplementation Strategies and Cost-Effectiveness

  • Nonselective vitamin D supplementation appears to be more cost-effective than selective supplementation for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, likely due to the lower cost of 25(OH)D supplementation compared to serum assays [11].

Tissue Healing and Preclinical Models

Other Clinical Associations

Practical Considerations

Screening and Assessment

  • Preoperative vitamin D screening is important for patients who have vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL [10].
  • Determining vitamin D levels preoperatively may be beneficial for preventing delayed wound healing after open carpal tunnel release surgery [7].
  • Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased short- and long-term mortality in patients receiving hip fracture surgery under general anesthesia [10].
  • Vitamin D deficiency is a potentially modifiable risk factor that could be optimized during both surgical and nonsurgical management of patients with Charcot arthropathy [5].

Supplementation Strategies

  • Providing supplementation if vitamin D deficiency is present preoperatively may be beneficial for preventing delayed wound healing [7].
  • Deficient total knee arthroplasty patients benefitted from medium-to-high dose vitamin D supplementation, though only 33.7% achieved repletion [20].
  • Nonselective vitamin D supplementation appears to be more cost-effective than selective supplementation in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair [11].
  • The lower cost of 25(OH)D supplementation compared to serum assays likely contributes to the cost-effectiveness of nonselective supplementation in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair [11].

Outcomes and Prognosis

  • Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may improve longer term survival after proximal femoral fracture surgery [18].
  • Vitamin D status alone may not influence immediate recovery after proximal femoral fracture surgery [18].
  • Among Americans over the age of 40, the increase in serum HDL-C is related to decreased bone mineral density of the spine only in women aged 40–59 years with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency [29].

Research Gaps and Limitations

  • Evidence suggests vitamin D may support tendon healing, particularly in rotator cuff repair, but studies remain low quality and limited to a single tendon group [8].

Key Evidence

  • [L1] More research is needed to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone health and injury risk in this population. [1] (10.1177/23259671231220371)
  • [L3] These results identify a population with increased odds of injury and provide valuable knowledge as we expand our understanding of the relationship between vitamin D and musculoskeletal health. [2] (10.1016/j.arthro.2023.04.011)
  • [L3] These findings suggest that vitamin D status should be assessed in high-risk populations to guide preventive strategies focused on maintaining optimal levels. [3] (10.1177/03635465261441254)
  • [L3] Educational initiatives and revised guidelines may have improved prescription rates, but there is a need to raise awareness about the importance of vitamin D for bone health, particularly in older adults. [4] (10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00932)
  • [L4] Vitamin D represents a potentially modifiable risk factor that could be optimized during both surgical and nonsurgical management of patients with Charcot arthropathy. [5] (10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-22-00162)
  • [L3] Regular vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces the likelihood of deficiency. [6] (10.1186/s13018-025-06482-9)
  • [L3] Determining vitamin D levels preoperatively and providing supplementation if deficiency is present may be beneficial for preventing delayed wound healing. [7] (10.5435/jaaos-d-25-00410)
  • [L4] Although evidence suggests vitamin D may support tendon healing, particularly in rotator cuff repair, studies remain low quality and limited to a single tendon group. [8] (10.1177/23259671251371300)
  • [L3] These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to optimize musculoskeletal and metabolic health during this developmental window. [9] (10.1186/s13018-025-06091-6)
  • [L2] These findings highlight the importance of preoperative vitamin D screening and potential supplementation strategies for patients who have vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL. [10] (10.1016/j.arth.2025.04.080)
  • [L4] Nonselective supplementation appears to be more cost-effective than selective supplementation, likely due to the lower cost of 25(OH)D supplementation compared to serum assays. [11] (10.1016/j.jse.2023.05.007)
  • [L3] Administering an oral 300,000 U single-dose vitamin D regimen to correct vitamin D deficiency can positively impact outcomes following primary TJA. [12] (10.1016/j.arth.2024.05.012)
  • [L5] Because of the lack of robust efficacy and safety data, peptide supplements should not currently be recommended as a replacement or adjunct for existing orthopaedic standard of care. [13] (10.1177/03635465261464420)
  • [L3] Orthopedic surgeons should recognize vitamin D deficiency as a potential modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications in TSA. [14] (10.1016/j.jseint.2025.01.010)
  • [L4] Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in knee OA patients and its severity is associated with bilateral OA and polyarthralgia but not with inflammatory markers. [15] (10.1186/s13018-025-05805-0)
  • [L1] Supplementation with vitamin D 10,000 IU/day for 8 weeks can increase vitamin D levels >50 ng/dl to optimally act as an immunomodulator. [16] (10.1186/s13018-023-04445-6)
  • [L1] Sixteen weeks of HIIT and vitamin D consumption showed greater benefits for BMD levels in women with osteoporosis than either vitamin D consumption or HIIT training alone. [17] (10.1186/s12891-025-08275-x)
  • [L2] Although vitamin D status alone may not influence immediate recovery, maintaining adequate levels may improve longer term survival after PFF surgery. [18] (10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-25-00108)
  • [L1] This study's findings do not justify routine testing and supplementation of vitamin D in patients undergoing RCR. [19] (10.1016/j.xrrt.2025.02.006)
  • [L3] Low-dose vitamin D supplementation was beneficial for vitamin D–sufficient TKA patients to achieve higher levels and maintain sufficiency, while deficient patients benefitted from medium-to-high dose supplementation, though only 33.7% achieved repletion. [20] (10.5435/jaaos-d-24-00005)
  • [L4] These parameters might be considered diagnostic non-invasive predictors of bone health for clinical use in epidemiological contexts. [21] (10.1186/s12891-023-06960-3)
  • [L2] However, current evidence is inconsistent and insufficient to support universal supplementation. [22] (10.1177/23259671261432670)
  • [L2] Active vitamin D3 treatment promoted fracture healing by affecting the levels of these immune factors. [23] (10.1186/s13018-023-03777-7)
  • [L5] Combining systemic and localized vitamin D delivery significantly enhanced tendon-to-bone healing, muscle regeneration, and biomechanical strength in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model compared to other treatment groups. [24] (10.1016/j.jse.2025.12.003)
  • [L4] Further research is necessary to elucidate the direct role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of rotator cuff tears and its impact on clinical outcomes after rotator cuff surgery and total shoulder arthroplasty. [25] (10.5397/cise.2024.00220)
  • [L4] Lower preoperative serum vitamin D levels had a strong correlation with lower tissue vitamin D levels and lower serum vitamin D levels at 1 year after surgery. [27] (10.1177/03635465221145711)
  • [L5] Our recommendations for data capture relating to female athlete population characteristics, and injuries, illnesses and other health consequences, will improve the quality of epidemiological studies, to inform better injury and illness prevention strategies. [28] (10.1136/bjsports-2022-106620)
  • [L4] Among Americans over the age of 40, the increase in serum HDL-C is related to decreased BMD of spine only in women aged 40–59 years with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. [29] (10.1186/s13018-022-03491-w)
  • [L4] Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with the expression of myogenesis-related or muscle atrophy–related genes in the supraspinatus muscle of patients with rotator cuff tears, unlike in the deltoid muscle; rather, vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine expression. [30] (10.1177/03635465231184392)
  • [Letter] The letter commends the referenced study for assessing vitamin D status before trauma to control for confounding inflammation, and suggests future research should determine whether correcting hypovitaminosis D improves outcomes after ACL injury. [31] (10.1016/j.arthro.2023.07.033)
  • [L1] Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation may improve pelvic BMD and correct serum 25OHD deficiencies in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, but does not reduce clinical fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. [32] (10.1186/s12891-025-09089-7)
  • [L1] Supplementation with 50,000 international units vitamin D3 on the day of surgery failed to demonstrate statistical significant differences in functional KSS, TUGT times, or complications in the early postoperative period compared to placebo. [33] (10.1016/j.arth.2022.08.020)
  • [L4] Regular sling core stabilization training based on calcium and vitamin D supplementation can improve bone mineral density and prevent low back pain in a patient with primary osteoporosis over a 6-year period. [34] (10.1186/s12891-023-06896-8)

References

[1] Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Elite Athletes: A Systematic Review. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2024. DOI: 10.1177/23259671231220371

[2] A Diagnosis of Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Increased Rates of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears and Reconstruction Failure. Arthroscopy. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2023.04.011

[3] Vitamin D and the Risk of Stress Fractures in Athletes and Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/03635465261441254

[4] Forgetting the Frail: National Trends in Vitamin D Prescription After Fragility Fracture—A Large Insurance Claims Database Study. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2024. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00932

[5] Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Charcot Arthropathy: A Single-Center Analysis. JAAOS: Global Research and Reviews. 2022. DOI: 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-22-00162

[6] Higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among arthroplasty patients presenting in winter. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-025-06482-9

[7] The Effect of Serum Vitamin D Level on Wound Healing Process After Open Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery: Clinical Outcomes of 55 Cases. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2025. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-25-00410

[8] The Role of Vitamin D in Postoperative Tendon Healing: A Scoping Review. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/23259671251371300

[9] Vitamin D deficiency and adverse body composition in adolescents. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-025-06091-6

[10] Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on Short- and Long-Term Mortality in Patients Receiving Hip Fracture Surgery Under General Anesthesia: A Matched Cohort Study. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2025.04.080

[11] Preoperative vitamin D supplementation is a cost-effective intervention in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2023.05.007

[12] Effect of Vitamin D Deficiency on Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Complications After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2024.05.012

[13] Peptide Supplements and Their Therapeutic Applications in Sports Medicine. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/03635465261464420

[14] Vitamin D deficiency is associated with adverse medical outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty. JSES International. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2025.01.010

[15] Association between vitamin D deficiency, inflammatory markers, and knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective study. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-025-05805-0

[16] Randomized controlled trial of vitamin d supplementation on toll-like receptor-2 (tlr-2) and toll-like receptor-4 (tlr-4) in tuberculosis spondylitis patients. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04445-6

[17] Concurrent effects of high-intensity interval training and vitamin D supplementation on bone metabolism among women diagnosed with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-025-08275-x

[18] 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels, Free Serum Calcium, Glomerular Filtration Rate, Albumin, and Femoral Fracture Elderly Patient Mortality. JAAOS: Global Research and Reviews. 2026. DOI: 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-25-00108

[19] Preoperative serum vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased rotator cuff fatty degeneration but is unlikely to influence post repair outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of correlation coefficients. JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.xrrt.2025.02.006

[20] Vitamin D Supplementation May Prevent or Treat Deficiency After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2024. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-24-00005

[21] Hand grip strength, vitamin D status, and diets as predictors of bone health in 6–12 years old school children. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06960-3

[22] Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/23259671261432670

[23] Determination of immune factor levels in serum and local hematoma samples of osteoporotic fracture patients and clinical study of the effect of active vitamin D3 treatment on immune factor levels. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-03777-7

[24] Localized vitamin D delivery via 3D-printed nanofiber sheets combined with systemic supplementation enhances tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model: a preclinical study. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2025.12.003

[25] The role of vitamin D in shoulder health: a comprehensive review of its impact on rotator cuff tears and surgical results. Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow. 2024. DOI: 10.5397/cise.2024.00220

[27] Serum Vitamin D Level Correlations With Tissue Vitamin D Level and Muscle Performance Before and After Rotator Cuff Repair. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023. DOI: 10.1177/03635465221145711

[28] Female athlete health domains: a supplement to the International Olympic Committee consensus statement on methods for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106620

[29] Effects of vitamin D deficiency on blood lipids and bone metabolism: a large cross-sectional study. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-022-03491-w

[30] Influence of Vitamin D Deficiency on the Expression of Genes and Proteins in Patients With Medium Rotator Cuff Tears. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023. DOI: 10.1177/03635465231184392

[31] Regarding “A Diagnosis of Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Increased Rates of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears and Reconstruction Failure”. Arthroscopy. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2023.07.033

[32] The effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density and fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-025-09089-7

[33] Vitamin D3 Supplementation Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2022.08.020

[34] Regular sling core stabilization training improves bone density based on calcium and vitamin D supplementation. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06896-8

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