Vitamin D Helps Knee Function

A study of 221 patients found an associationbetween low serum levels of vitaminD and decreased knee function in patientswith osteoarthritis of the knee. All of thepatients had knee arthritis and reportedknee pain on many days in the monthbefore they joined the study.

For the study, the researchers measuredthe blood levels of vitamin D at the startand again after 15 months and 30months. Changes in vitamin D levels werecompared with changes in knee pain,physical function, and muscle strengthduring the 30-month study. Lead investigatorKristin Baker, PhD, said thatdecreased levels were connected withhigher levels of pain and disability andsome muscle weakness.