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The medicinal benefits of Vitamin C have been known for centuries. Our ancestors may not have understood why such things worked, but they were observant enough to see they did. In the late eighteenth century, after much trial and error, research established that Vitamin C – typically in the form of lemon or lime juice – prevented scurvy on long sea voyages.
Vitamin C supplements
Today, many of us take daily Vitamin C supplements to boost our immune system. Doing so helps to fight conditions such as colds, cardiovascular disease, skin problems, and eye disease.
Unlike most animals, humans cannot synthesise Vitamin C in our bodies. So, our only source of this vital vitamin is what we consume. The primary sources in our diet are fruit and vegetables. Therefore, supplements can be important if you aren’t regularly consuming your ‘five a day’.
Vitamin C and fracture healing
There was recognition of the vital role of Vitamin C in fracture healing back in the early 1940s. In addition to promoting bone formation, Vitamin C improves the mechanical strength of the new bone (callus) forming as the fracture unites.
Can Vitamin C prevent CRPS?
Some studies have established a correlation between taking Vitamin C supplements and the chance of developing CRPS following limb fractures and limb surgery. A paper published in 2007 seemed pretty conclusive in terms of wrist fractures:
“Vitamin C reduces the prevalence of complex regional pain syndrome after wrist fractures. A daily dose of 500 mg for fifty days is recommended.”
Conversely, a more recent study published in 2015 concluded:
“The evidence for vitamin C to prevent CRPS in patients with distal radius fractures fails to demonstrate a significant benefit. The overall quality of the evidence is low, and these results should be interpreted in the context of clinical expertise and patient preferences.”
Interestingly, this later study was more critical of the methodology adopted in earlier studies than dismissive of their results.
Ultimately, Vitamin C is inexpensive and has limited side effects. Consequently, there seems little to be lost – and perhaps everything to gain – in taking the supplement as recommended following limb fracture or surgery.
On a worrying note, a client who underwent surgery after her CRPS diagnosis told me she received no advice at all on taking Vitamin C supplements. Fortunately, as a result of her own research, she was aware of the potential benefit.