Low vitamin D status does not adversely affect short-term functional outcome after total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

We prospectively measured functional performances (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Short Form-36, 2-minute walk test, and timed get-up-and-go test) of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and had serum vitamin D levels tested during the preoperative evaluation. Of 219 patients, 102 (46.6%) had low vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D<30 ng/mL). Low vitamin D status did not adversely affect short-term function at 6 weeks after THA. In addition, there was no association between serum vitamin D levels and the within-patient changes of scores of each outcome measurement. Because this 6-week period is generally adequate to correct vitamin D deficiency, orthopedic surgeons can safely perform THA without delay. Nevertheless, because vitamin D deficiency impairs bone quality, patients with low vitamin D levels should be treated once identified.

Fig. 1

Diagram showing patient flow through the study. PBT indicates performance-based tests.