Vitamin C and inflammatory cytokine levels in elective total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin C levels are decreased in arthritis patients and reduced levels following surgery may impair adequate healing.

AIM: This study measured changes in vitamin C and inflammatory markers in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS: Venous blood samples were collected from 10 patients during the preoperative to postoperative period. Vitamin C, interleukin-1 β , interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured using various assays.

RESULTS: No significant changes in vitamin C levels were measured. However, all participants had suboptimal preoperative vitamin C levels and 90% had suboptimal levels postoperatively. IL-6 and CRP levels significantly increased during the immediate postoerative period.

CONCLUSION: There was a rise in inflammation following TKA while vitamin C levels did not significantly change during this short study period. Of note, every patient had suboptimal vitamin C levels prior to surgery and 90% continued with suboptimal levels two days postoperatively.