High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation Can Correct Hypovitaminosis D Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency in the perioperative surgical period is associated with inferior surgical outcomes. There are no established preoperative supplementation regimens in the orthopedic literature. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy between 2 different supplementation regimens of vitamin D prior to total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 174 patients identified as vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL) who received one of 2 vitamin D supplementation protocols: (1) daily supplementation with D3 on a sliding scale from 1000 to 6000 IU or (2) a loading dose of 50,000 IU D3 weekly for 4 weeks then 2000 IU/d. Serum vitamin D levels were measured at 3 months and 1 month preoperatively. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 65.5(±8.6) years, and 54.6% were female. Deficiency was corrected in 73.3% of patients in the loading dose group and 42.4% of patients in the daily, low-dose group [χ2 (1, N = 174) = 16.53, P < .001]. Patients in the loading dose group also achieved a greater average correction in vitamin D levels. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to compare preoperative vitamin D supplementation protocols. A loading dose regimen of 50,000 IU weekly for 4 weeks followed by a maintenance dose of 2000 IU/d more effectively corrects vitamin D deficiency compared to a low-dose, daily regimen among total knee arthroplasty patients. We recommend this regimen for deficiency correction in patients who have been screened to be deficient in vitamin D preoperatively.

Post-Operative Remote Monitoring for Same-Day Discharge Elective Orthopedic Surgery: A Pilot Study.

The purposes of this pilot study are to utilize digital remote monitoring to (a) evaluate the usability and satisfaction of a wireless blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) monitor and (b) determine whether these data can enable safe mobilization at home after same-day discharge (SDD) joint replacement. A population of 23 SDD patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or total hip arthroplasty (THA) were given a cellular BP/HR monitor, with real-time data capture. Patients took three readings after surgery, observing for specific blood pressure decreases, HR increases, or hypotensive symptoms. If any criteria applied, patients followed a hydration protocol and delayed ambulation. Home coaching was also provided to each patient. Patient experience was surveyed, and responses were assessed using descriptive statistics. Of 18 patients discharged (78%), 17 returned surveys, of which 100% reported successful device operation. The mean "ease of use" rating was 8.9/10; satisfaction with home coaching was 9.7/10; and belief that the protocol improved patient safety was 8.4/10. A total of 27.8% (n = 5) had hypotensive readings and appropriately delayed ambulation. Our pilot findings support the feasibility of and confirm the satisfaction with remote monitoring after SDD arthroplasty. All patients with symptoms of hypotension were successfully remotely managed using a standardized hydration protocol prior to safe mobilization.

High rates of vitamin D insufficiency among patients presenting for total knee arthroplasty.

Widely varying prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported in patients presenting for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The primary aim of this study was to determine vitamin D levels in TKA patients and to compare to patients already routinely evaluated for vitamin D levels, patients with fragility fractures of the distal radius (DRF). There is significant overlap between patients presenting for TKA and with DRF, both in terms of medical comorbidities and overall health status, making these populations suitable comparative cohorts. Wefound that all patients presenting for TKA consultation had vitamin D insufficiency and 33% had vitamin D deficiency, compared to only 37% and 14% in the DRF cohort, a patient population routinely evaluated for vitamin D due to the high risk of deficiency. Furthermore, patients with DRF had higher levels of vitamin D before (38 ± 16 vs. 23 ± 5) and after vitamin D supplementation (39 ± 17 vs. 33 ± 10), suggesting that patients presenting for TKA are at even higher risk of vitamin D insufficiency than patients presenting with DRF. Reassuringly, supplementation successfully corrected 39.0% and 55.8% of patients in the DRF and TKA cohorts, respectively.