Impact of Vitamin D on recovery after joint replacement surgery

Effect of Vitamin D Status and Repletion on Postoperative Total Joint Arthroplasty Complications

NA · Brigham and Women's Hospital · NCT04229368

This study is testing if giving Vitamin D to patients before hip or knee replacement surgery can help them recover better and avoid complications.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment900 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBrigham and Women's Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT04229368 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the role of Vitamin D status and supplementation in reducing postoperative complications for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) for hip or knee arthropathy. It aims to determine if correcting Vitamin D deficiency before surgery can lead to better clinical outcomes. The study will involve adult patients who meet specific eligibility criteria, including having a certain level of Vitamin D in their blood. Participants will receive Vitamin D3 supplementation as part of the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are scheduled for elective unilateral primary total joint arthroplasty and have a pre-operative serum 25(OH)D level of at least 10 ng/mL.

Not a fit: Patients with severe Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D levels below 10 ng/mL), those undergoing revision surgeries, or individuals with certain medical conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved recovery and fewer complications for patients undergoing joint replacement surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that Vitamin D deficiency negatively impacts surgical outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be beneficial, although the specific intervention in this study is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients ≥18 years of age undergoing elective unilateral primary TJA for osteoarthritis
* Patients with a pre-operative serum 25(OH)D levels ≥10 ng/mL
* Patients who consent to the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients ≥18 years of age undergoing elective primary TJA with a pre-operative serum 25(OH)D2,3 level \<10 ng/mL
* Patients undergoing revision surgery
* Patients lacking mental capacity to comply with study procedures
* Patients with serum 25(OH)D levels between 10-29 ng/dL refusing to stop their current Vitamin D and multivitamins supplementations
* Hypercalcemia (total calcium \>10.6 mg/dL or ionized serum calcium \>5.4mg/dL)
* History of nephrolithiasis
* Granulomatous disease
* Dialysis and advanced kidney disease
* Previous infection/septic arthritis
* Inability to swallow Vitamin D3 pills
* Allergy to Vitamin D3 (It is estimated that 1 in 300 individuals may have an allergy with skin manifestations 17)
* Hypocalcemia (\<8.5 mg/dL)
* Chronic kidney disease (eGFR \<60 mL/minute)
* Known hyperparathyroidism
* Known osteoporosis/insufficiency stress fractures (if normal stresses are applied to an abnormal bone)
* Pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Hip Arthropathy, Knee Arthropathy, Vitamin D Deficiency, joint replacement, hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, clinical outcomes

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.