Leg pain and vitamin d
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
The Relationship Between Leg Pain and Vitamin D: A Comprehensive Overview
Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Leg Pain
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Vitamin D Deficiency
Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) often experience chronic leg pain and are at a high risk of vitamin D deficiency. A study conducted at Yonsei University College of Medicine found that 74.3% of LSS patients were vitamin D deficient, with severe leg pain being significantly associated with lower vitamin D levels . This deficiency is thought to be exacerbated by limited activity and reduced sunlight exposure due to pain .
Chronic Low Back-Leg Pain and Functional Capacity
In patients with chronic low back-leg pain (CLBLP), vitamin D deficiency was found in 22.8% of cases, while 42.8% had insufficient levels. Although there was no significant relationship between vitamin D levels and pain intensity, lower functional capacity was observed in patients with vitamin D deficiency . This suggests that while vitamin D may not directly influence pain intensity, it could impact overall physical function.
Night-Time Leg Pain in Children and Adolescents
A study on children and adolescents presenting with night-time leg pain revealed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Among the participants, 50% had vitamin D deficiency, and 46.7% had insufficient levels . This indicates a strong correlation between vitamin D levels and leg pain in younger populations.
Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Leg Pain
Vitamin D and Calcium in Pregnant Women
A randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on leg cramps in pregnant women. The study concluded that neither vitamin D alone nor in combination with calcium significantly affected the frequency, length, or intensity of leg cramps . This suggests that vitamin D supplementation may not be effective for leg cramps in this demographic.
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that vitamin D supplementation resulted in a significantly greater mean decrease in pain scores for individuals with chronic pain conditions compared to placebo . However, the effect was more pronounced in patients with pre-existing pain, indicating that vitamin D might be more beneficial for those already experiencing chronic pain.
Growing Pain in Children
Research on growing pain in children found that 97.14% of participants had hypovitaminosis D, with a significant association between lower vitamin D levels and increased pain severity . This highlights the potential role of vitamin D in managing growing pains in children.
Conclusion
The relationship between leg pain and vitamin D is complex and varies across different populations and conditions. While vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among patients with chronic leg pain, its direct impact on pain intensity is less clear. However, vitamin D appears to influence overall functional capacity and may be beneficial in managing chronic pain conditions. Further research is needed to clarify the specific conditions under which vitamin D supplementation can be most effective.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic