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Vitamin D and Musculoskeletal Health
How vitamin D affects bone, muscle strength, falls, fracture and tendon healing, and surgical outcomes — including who benefits from supplementation.

For patients: a plain-language version of this topic is available. See the patient guide.
Overview¶
Vitamin D status is a critical determinant of musculoskeletal integrity and surgical recovery across diverse orthopaedic populations. A diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased rates of anterior cruciate ligament tears and reconstruction failure [2], while preoperative serum deficiency correlates with increased rotator cuff fatty degeneration, though it is unlikely to influence post-repair outcomes [19]. In the context of total joint arthroplasty, administering an oral 300,000 U single-dose vitamin D regimen to correct deficiency can positively impact outcomes following primary total joint arthroplasty [12]. Conversely, current evidence is inconsistent and insufficient to support universal vitamin D supplementation for total knee arthroplasty outcomes [22]. Orthopaedic surgeons should recognize vitamin D deficiency as a potential modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications in total shoulder arthroplasty [14], and it represents a potentially modifiable risk factor that could be optimized during both surgical and nonsurgical management of patients with Charcot arthropathy [5].
Preoperative assessment and targeted supplementation are essential for mitigating specific perioperative risks. 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]. For patients undergoing hip fracture surgery under general anesthesia with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL, preoperative screening and potential supplementation strategies are important [10]. Regular vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces the likelihood of deficiency among arthroplasty patients presenting in winter [6]. Furthermore, 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].
Beyond acute surgical interventions, vitamin D status informs preventive strategies and long-term metabolic health. Vitamin D status should be assessed in high-risk populations to guide preventive strategies focused on maintaining optimal levels regarding stress fracture risk [3]. 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]. In paediatric and geriatric contexts, 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]. Targeted interventions are needed to optimize musculoskeletal and metabolic health in adolescents with vitamin D deficiency and adverse body composition [9]. While educational initiatives and revised guidelines may have improved vitamin D prescription rates after fragility fracture, awareness of its importance for bone health in older adults needs to be raised [4].
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]. For patients with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL, preoperative screening and potential supplementation strategies are important [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]. In osteoporotic fracture patients, active vitamin D3 treatment promoted fracture healing by affecting the levels of immune factors [23]. For women with osteoporosis, sixteen weeks of high-intensity interval training and vitamin D consumption showed greater benefits for bone mineral density levels than either vitamin D consumption or high-intensity interval training alone [17]. More research is needed to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone health and injury risk in elite athletes [1].
Surgical Outcomes and Wound Healing¶
In total knee arthroplasty, low-dose vitamin D supplementation was beneficial for vitamin D–sufficient patients to achieve higher levels and maintain sufficiency [20]. Deficient total knee arthroplasty patients benefitted from medium-to-high dose vitamin D supplementation, though only 33.7% achieved repletion [20]. Regarding arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, preoperative vitamin D supplementation is a cost-effective intervention [11]. Nonselective vitamin D 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]. However, 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]. 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 surgery [27]. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine expression in the deltoid muscle of patients with medium rotator cuff tears, but was not associated with the expression of myogenesis-related or muscle atrophy–related genes in the supraspinatus muscle [30].
Tendon Healing and Musculoskeletal Pathology¶
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]. In a rabbit rotator cuff tear model, combining systemic and localized vitamin D delivery significantly enhanced tendon-to-bone healing, muscle regeneration, and biomechanical strength compared to other treatment groups [24]. 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]. 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].
Immunomodulation and Other Applications¶
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]. 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].
What the Evidence Shows¶
Injury Risk and Prevalence¶
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with knee osteoarthritis [15]. The severity of this deficiency correlates with bilateral osteoarthritis and polyarthralgia, but it is not associated with inflammatory markers [15]. Seasonal variation influences presentation, with a higher prevalence of deficiency observed among arthroplasty patients presenting in winter [6]. In rotator cuff repair, lower preoperative serum vitamin D levels strongly correlate with lower tissue vitamin D levels and lower serum vitamin D levels at one year post-surgery [27].
Fracture and Bone Health¶
For patients with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL following hip fracture surgery, preoperative screening and potential supplementation strategies are important [10]. In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation may improve pelvic bone mineral density and correct serum 25OHD deficiencies [32]. However, this combined supplementation does not reduce clinical fracture risk in this population [32]. Additionally, regular sling core stabilization training based on calcium and vitamin D supplementation can improve bone mineral density and prevent low back pain in patients with primary osteoporosis over a six-year period [34].
Surgical Outcomes and Complications¶
Vitamin D deficiency is a potential modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications in total shoulder arthroplasty [14]. Regarding rotator cuff repair, findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis do not justify routine testing and supplementation of vitamin D [19]. In total knee arthroplasty, supplementation with 50,000 international units of vitamin D3 on the day of surgery failed to demonstrate statistically significant differences in functional KSS, TUGT times, or complications in the early postoperative period compared to placebo [33]. Cost-effectiveness analyses indicate that nonselective vitamin D supplementation appears 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].
Tendon and Soft Tissue Healing¶
A nanofiber-based vitamin D sheet was compared to vitamin D supplementation regarding tendon-to-bone healing and muscle regeneration in a rabbit model [26].
Research Gaps and Limitations¶
There is a need to raise awareness about the importance of vitamin D for bone health, particularly in older adults, despite educational initiatives and revised guidelines that may have improved prescription rates after fragility fracture [4].
Practical Considerations¶
Seasonal Supplementation: Regular vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces the likelihood of deficiency in arthroplasty patients presenting in winter [6].
Dosing Strategies: Low-dose vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for vitamin D–sufficient total knee arthroplasty patients to achieve higher levels and maintain sufficiency, while deficient patients benefit from medium-to-high dose supplementation, though only 33.7% achieved repletion [20].
Long-term Outcomes: Although vitamin D status alone may not influence immediate recovery, maintaining adequate levels may improve longer term survival after proximal femoral fracture surgery [18].
Contraindications: 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].
Epidemiological Data: 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].
Metabolic Interactions: Among Americans over the age of 40, the increase in serum HDL-C is related to decreased bone mineral density of spine only in women aged 40–59 years with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency [29].
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)
- [L5] The study aimed to compare the efficacy of a nanofiber-based vitamin D sheet versus vitamin D supplementation on tendon-to-bone healing and muscle regeneration in a rabbit model, though specific conclusion statements were not fully provided in the text. [26] (10.1016/j.jse.2023.02.077)
- [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)
- [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)
See Also¶
- Osteoarthritis
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
[26] The Effect Of Nanofiber-Based Vitamin D Sheet For Tendon-To-Bone Healing And Muscle Regeneration In A Rabbit Rotator Cuff Tear Model. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2023.02.077
[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
[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