The Influence of Vitamin C on Postoperative Pain in Patients with Trochanteric Femur Fracture.

Abstract

Background: Trochanteric femur fractures constitute nearly half of all hip fractures and represent the most commonly surgically treated fracture type overall. Postoperative pain is linked to increased morbidity and poorer functional recovery, and its management remains challenging due to the adverse effects associated with commonly prescribed analgesics.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the influence of oral vitamin C supplementation on postoperative pain intensity in patients with trochanteric femur fractures managed with intramedullary nailing.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed involving 70 patients allocated to either a vitamin C group or a control group. Participants in the vitamin C group received 1 g of oral vitamin C daily for 40 postoperative days, whereas the control group received a placebo for the same duration. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores, total postoperative metamizole consumption, Harris Hip Score (HHS) values, and complication rates were recorded and compared between groups.

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between groups regarding age, gender distribution, length of hospital stay, fracture side, or fracture classification. The cumulative postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower in the vitamin C group compared with the control group (P = 0.0000). Median postoperative metamizole consumption was lower in the vitamin C group, with a significant difference compared with the control group (P = 0.020). Harris Hip Score values assessed at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0.760 and P = 0.796, respectively).

Conclusions: The findings indicate that vitamin C supplementation significantly reduced subjective postoperative pain and analgesic consumption, suggesting its potential usefulness as an adjunctive measure for pain management following hip fracture surgery.