Can Vitamin C enhance healing in bone trauma and CRPS?
Vitamin C is important in bone health and can be helpful in preventing complex regional pain syndrome. The free radical theory of aging (FRTA) states that organisms age because cells accumulate free radical damage over time. A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell. While a few free radicals such as melanin are not chemically reactive, most biologically-relevant free radicals are highly reactive. These reactive atoms and molecules cause damage to DNA and other parts of a cell.
Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant and limits the destructive ability of these free radicals. This study supports the use of vitamin C after wrist fractures to prevent complex regional pain syndrome. Observational studies also support the use of 500 mg of vitamin C after foot and ankle surgery.
The Research
The Role of Vitamin C in Orthopedic Trauma and Bone Health.
Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2015 Jul;44(7):306-11.
Hart A, Cota A1, Makhdom A, Harvey EJ.
- 1Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient with an adult daily recommended intake of 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. Smokers should consume an additional 35 mg per day because of the increased oxidative stresses from cigarette smoke. Observational data support the hypothesis that high dietary intake and supplementation with vitamin C may reduce the risk of hip fractures in postmenopausal women. Results of 2 high-quality trials support use of vitamin C 500 mg daily for 50 days as prophylaxis against complex regional pain syndrome after wrist fracture treated conservatively and operatively. Observational evidence exists for similar treatment after foot and ankle surgery. The role of vitamin C in preventing osteoarthritis has tremendous potential, though results in animal and human studies are controversial. The heterogeneous results and the lack of prospective trials preclude any recommendation at this time.
