If you have undergone joint replacement surgery, you want to experience the best possible outcomes and know that your prosthetic implant will last as long as possible, giving you many years of pain-free movement.
How long do prosthetic implants last?
Over time artificial implants will wear and if this happens you may require revision surgery – which means surgery to replace a worn-out implant with a new implant. Generally, the outcomes of revision joint replacements are less successful than primary joint replacement surgery so it is beneficial to avoid revision surgery for as long as possible. The length of time an implant will last can vary – we normally say at least 10-15 years – however, with correct care you can extend the life of your implant and one of the ways to do this is by ensuring a sufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium, which plays a key role in bone metabolism.
We advise all our joint replacement patients about the role calcium and vitamin D play in optimising the benefits of their surgery and we may recommend dietary changes or taking supplements to ensure a sufficient intake. A recent study published in The Journal of Arthroplasty shows why this is so important.
Research study into vitamin D and calcium
Researchers based at the Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, Republic of Korea, set out to evaluate the link between vitamin D and calcium and the number of patients needing revision surgery after total knee replacement surgery. Using the Korean National Health Insurance database, researchers looked at patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who had primary knee replacement surgery between 2009 and 2018. They ranked the number of patients at risk of needing revision surgery using a model called the Cox proportional hazards model.
Of the 142,147 patients assessed, 28,403 used vitamin D and calcium while 113,744 didn’t. The study found that calcium and vitamin D significantly reduced the risk of revision knee replacement surgery. Both patients with periprosthetic joint infection and those without infections had less chance of needing revision surgery if they took calcium and vitamin D for more than a year after their knee replacement surgery. Similarly, implant survival rates were higher in people who took supplements for more than a year compared to those who did not. In patients who developed an infection after surgery, vitamin D and calcium taken for more than a year increased the five-year implant survival rate from 75% to 93%. In patients without infection, researchers noted a reduction in implant failure rates of 58%.
The researchers concluded that a dose of 800 IU or higher of calcium and vitamin D for more than a year after knee replacement surgery lowers the chance of needing revision surgery.
How vitamin D and calcium helps
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and helps to regulate the amount of calcium in the body. As orthopaedic surgeons, we see higher complication rates after joint replacement surgery in patients whose vitamin D levels are low. Low vitamin D levels can also lead to increased joint and muscle pain. The sun’s rays are the primary source of vitamin D however it is also found in certain foods including eggs, salmon and mushrooms. Taking a vitamin D supplement daily can boost your levels.
Calcium is vital for strong, healthy bones. Calcium deficiency can lead to bones becoming weak and breaking more easily. Osteoporosis is linked to a lack of calcium in the bones. Common sources of calcium include milk, cheese and leafy green vegetables such as curly kale.
Joseph Queally provides all types of joint replacement surgery and support the use of vitamin D and calcium to ensure the best possible outcomes. We offer detailed advice to our patients on caring for prosthetic implants and we can connect you with other specialist healthcare professions, such as nutritionists, if you require additional support.
