The importance of vitamin D in treatment of fracture non-union: a case report
L.Moonen Nutrition 10 February 2021,
Context
The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is currently increasing. A wide variety of diseases and complications are associated with low vitamin D serum concentrations, amongst these is fracture healing and fracture non-union.
Case description
A healthy 44 year old male presented himself with pain due to a non-union of a femoral shaft fracture, four years after initial injury. The fracture had been operated upon three times and was adequately fixated in anatomical position. Hypovitaminosis D was diagnosed and subsequent supplementation resulted in complete union of the fracture with full pain relief.
Conclusions
This case report presents a patient with a femoral shaft non-union and hypovitaminosis D. Spontaneous healing occurred 4 years post-trauma following normalization of vitamin D serum levels.
This case illustrates the importance of adequate serum vitamin D levels in fracture healing, additional to other fracture healing facilitating factors. With the increase of hypovitaminosis D prevalence and the possibly associated fracture related complications, routine vitamin D determination should become part of clinical workup in case of fracture non-union.
Précis
A patient with a non-union of a femoral shaft fracture 4 years after initial injury and adequate fixation. After supplementation of vitamin D the non-union healed without any further surgical intervention.