The current status of knowledge includes preliminary research correlating hypovitaminosis, or low vitamin D status, to worse outcomes. In orthopaedic patients, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among those scheduled to undergo surgery.~Vitamin D is important for calcium homeostasis and bone health, as well as for activation and differentiation of macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes. A recent retrospective review of outcomes in revision total joint arthroplasty patients showed that patients with low vitamin D had higher rates of postoperative complications and periprosthetic infections. Additionally, another retrospective study correlated low vitamin D levels with lower patient reported outcomes (PROs) after total hip arthroplasty. Current retrospective studies suggest that having low vitamin D levels may lead to impaired fracture healing, increased wound complication rates, and a higher risk of infections.~Given this background information, this study will investigate a series of patients undergoing ankle arthrodesis and first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) arthrodesis. Our study will serve to enhance the current knowledge as a level 1 randomized control study on the effect of Vitamin D supplementation on the complication rate following these two arthrodesis procedures. Our endpoints for complications will be defined as infection, wound healing complications, need for readmission, need for re-operation and nonunion as evidenced clinically and radiographically.
Vitamin D is important for bone health and recent research has emphasized the importance of adequate vitamin D levels for bone healing, wound healing, and possibly preventing infections post-operatively. This study will assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on patient outcomes following ankle arthrodesis or first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis.