Researchers say that correcting low level of vitamin D can provide pain relief in patients with knee and hip pain. Vitamin D is important for bone, cartilage and muscle function.(1) Research has also suggested that too little or too much vitamin D supplementation may offer limited results, so a physician knowledgeable in helping to correct joint pain is important.
Doctors say Vitamin D helps pain syndromes
In the medical journal Rejuvenation research (2), doctors found an association with low levels of vitamin D and various osteoarthritis pain syndromes. Especially when the hand and hip are involved.
A November 2020 study (3) included these findings to suggest: “Some studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for poor musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoporosis, fracture, muscle weakness, falls, and osteoarthritis in adults.”
A randomized control trial in the journal Pain (4) suggested patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) typically have widespread chronic pain and fatigue. For those with low vitamin D levels, vitamin D supplements may reduce pain and may be a cost-effective alternative or adjunct to other treatment. In 2020, these observations were expanded upon in a new study (5) that premenopausal women with low 25(OH)D3 levels may more frequently experience FMS and pain than healthy individuals.
Researchers in the medical journal Clinical Rheumatology (6) noted that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among new patients attending rheumatology outpatient departments recorded that 70% of 231 patients had vitamin D deficiency, and 26% had severe deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency in each diagnostic category was as follows:
(a) inflammatory joint diseases/connective tissue diseases (IJD/CTD), 69%;
(b) soft tissue rheumatism, 77%;
(c) osteoarthritis, 62%;
(d) non-specific musculoskeletal back pain, 75% and
(e) osteoporosis, 71%.
Vitamin D as an anti-inflammatory
This research was built on by a later 2019 study (7) which suggested that the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis aims to suppress the inflammatory process particularly at the early disease stage when structural injuries are minimal. The presence of structural changes decreases response to anti-inflammatory drugs. Hypothetically, vitamin D-deficient rheumatoid arthritis patients are expected to have a better treatment response at earlier stages of rheumatoid arthritis; thus, raising serum 25(OH)D to higher level is expected to be more effective.
Pain is not a symptom that exists alone. At the Magaziner Center for Wellness, when treating a patient for chronic pain we look to strengthen the immune system and restore proper nutrition, this includes looking at your vitamin D levels. We also offer innovative and less invasive techniques for chronic pain as opposed to pain management with narcotics, anti-inflammatories, and surgery.
1. Laslett LL, Quinn S, Burgess JR, Parameswaran V, Winzenberg TM, Jones G, Ding C. Moderate vitamin D deficiency is associated with changes in knee and hip pain in older adults: a 5-year longitudinal study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2014 Apr 1;73(4):697-703.
2 Veronese N, Maggi S, Noale M, De Rui M, Bolzetta F, Zambon S, Corti MC, Sartori L, Musacchio E, Baggio G, Perissinotto E. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and osteoarthritis in older people: the Progetto Veneto Anziani study. Rejuvenation Research. 2015 Dec 1;18(6):543-53.
3 Arima K, Mizukami S, Nishimura T, Tomita Y, Nakashima H, Abe Y, Aoyagi K. Epidemiology of the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and musculoskeletal conditions among elderly individuals: a literature review. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. 2020 Dec;39(1):1-6.
4 Wepner F, Scheuer R, Schuetz-Wieser B, Machacek P, Pieler-Bruha E, Cross HS, Hahne J, Friedrich M. Effects of vitamin D on patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. PAIN®. 2014 Feb 1;155(2):261-8.
5 Akar N, Çaglar NS, Aytekin E, Akar A, Aksu Ö, Öz N. Low levels of serum vitamin D3 are associated with fibromyalgia syndrome in pre-menopausal women: A pilot study. Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020 Mar;66(1):67.
6. Haroon M, Bond U, Quillinan N, ET AL Clin Rheumatol. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in consecutive new patients seen over a 6-month period in general rheumatology clinics. 2011 Jun;30(6):789-94. Epub 2010 Dec 24.
7 Heidari B, Hajian-Tilaki K, Babaei M. Vitamin D deficiency and rheumatoid arthritis: epidemiological, immunological, clinical and therapeutic aspects. Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology. 2019 Jun;30(2):94.
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