Serum 25-Hydroxy-Calciferol Level and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose. To assess the association of serum 25-hydroxy-calciferol levels with pain and low back function in patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Methods. Records of 6 men and 3 women aged 25 to 54 (mean, 39.2) years who had failed back surgery syndrome after pedicular screw and rod instrumentation for lower lumbar degenerative diseases were reviewed. They had moderate-to-severe pain (visual analogue scale [VAS] score of >6) and low back function disability (Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA] back score of 3 months) antibiotic use after primary surgery, but had no evidence of infection. Six months after vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation, the mean serum 25-hydroxy-calciferol level improved significantly (17.0 vs. 42.5 ng/ml), as did the mean pain score (7.7 vs. 4.2) and mean JOA back score (7.6 vs. 11.1). Seven of the patients had a pain score of 10, the remaining 2 patients had neurological deficits and only slight improvement. Conclusion. Vitamin D supplementation may be used as an adjuvant treatment for patients with failed back surgery syndrome.