A research study from the Washington University of St Louis has discovered that nearly 60% of patients who are due to have spinal fusion surgery have inadequate Vitamin D levels.
This is particularly alarming as Vitamin D, along with other nutrients, is vital to help rebuild new bone – an important requirement of spinal surgery.
The researchers pointed out that even though patients eligible for spinal surgery are considered special cases, they believe it raised the need for all patients due to have this surgery should have their Vitamin D levels tested especially if they are over the age of 55, are smokers or have a history of diabetes or obesity.
The study also looked into the role that Vitamin D has to play in preventing degeneration of the spine.
In the northern hemisphere, especially at this time of year, it is not possible to make Vitamin D through the action of sunlight on the skin – the body’s main source of this vitamin. In fact, in the UK we can only do this from late March to September when the sun is high enough in the sky and even then we need to be exposing our limbs for at least 20 minutes daily.
See my previous blogs on Vitamin D and the important role it plays in our overall health:
http://www.lucksyardclinic.com/vitamin-d-helps-chronic-pain/
http://www.lucksyardclinic.com/let-the-sun-shine/
http://www.lucksyardclinic.com/dramatic-rise-in-vitamin-d-deficiency-in-children/
Fauber, John. “Vitamin D Often Depleted in Spine Surgery Patients.” Medpage Today. November 4, 2011.
