Of the patients who have a vitamin D deficiency, two out of five have levels low enough to place them at risk for metabolic bone disease. Researchers examined 723 patients who underwent orthopedic surgery and found that 411 patients had normal vitamin D levels, 202 patients had insufficient levels, and 110 patients were vitamin D deficient.
Additionally, researchers found that the patients undergoing procedures for traumatic conditions had the highest rate of vitamin D deficiency at 66.1 percent, followed by patients undergoing sports medicine procedures at 52 percent.
An American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons release about the study suggested patients with insufficient vitamin D levels eat food including fish, dairy products, eggs and mushrooms, receive sun exposure and take supplements.
Read the AAOS release on vitamin D deficiency.
Read other coverage on orthopedic surgery:
– Study Finds Hip Fracture Rate Could Drop 35% With Aggressive Osteoporosis Prevention Plan
– Study: Mortality Risk Low After Total Knee and Hip Replacement
