Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Rehabilitation of Patients After Rotator Cuff Tear Repair

Launched by CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG · May 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how vitamin D supplementation might help patients recover after surgery for a rotator cuff tear, which is a common shoulder injury that can cause pain and limit movement. Vitamin D is important for muscle strength and overall recovery, and many patients with rotator cuff tears have low levels of this vitamin. The trial will involve patients aged 40 to 70 who have been diagnosed with certain types of rotator cuff tears and have low vitamin D levels. Participants will receive either a daily dose of 4000 IU of vitamin D or a placebo (a harmless pill that doesn't contain the active ingredient) for one year.

If you qualify and choose to participate, you’ll be monitored over the year for changes in muscle strength, pain levels, and how well you can move your shoulder. Blood samples will be taken at different times to check your vitamin D levels and how they relate to your recovery. This study is important because it could help improve the way we treat patients recovering from rotator cuff surgery by using something as simple and cost-effective as vitamin D.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Male and female patients aged between 40 and 70 years.
• • 2. Clinically and radiologically (magnetic resonance imaging) diagnosed full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears that were confirmed by arthroscopic surgery and could be surgically repaired.
• • 3. Degree of supraspinatus tendon tear according to the DeOrio and Cofield grading system as moderate tear (1-3 cm) and mild tear (\<1 cm).
• • 4. Serum vitamin D level \<30 ng/mL \>20 ng/mL before rotator cuff tears surgery
• • 5. Signed informed consent and underwent 12-month follow-up.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Presence of other shoulder pathologies such as subscapularis tear, adhesive capsulitis, long head of biceps tendonitis, calcific tendonitis, or shoulder tumor.
• • 2. Large or unrepairable rotator cuff tear (\>3 cm).
• • 3. Previous history of shoulder surgery or recurrent rotator cuff tears.
• • 4. Combined injury to the shoulder labrum, articular cartilage or biceps tendon.
• • 5. Contraindications to vitamin D supplementation (e.g., allergies).
• • 6. Serious comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease.
• • 7. Severe osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis.