A Vitamin for Knee Pain

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons indicates that in 2003, more than 19.4 million Americans visited a physician complaining of knee pain or injury. This makes knee pain the most common reason for visiting with an orthopaedic surgeon. While knee pain should be examined and diagnosed by a physician, certain vitamin deficiencies -- especially vitamin D -- may lead to knee pain. Talk to your doctor about vitamin D for your knee pain.

Causes of Knee Pain

Your knee is the largest, most complex joint in your body, notes AAOS. As a result, you may find yourself experiencing pain or injury. You may experience pain as the result of arthritis. Arthritis can occur as the result of aging or traumatic injury to the knee. You may also experience overuse injuries to the knee that occur as the result of repetitive stress placed on your knees -- these can include tendinitis or bursitis. Knee pain may also be the result of a traumatic injury to your knee -- including fracture, dislocations, or tears to your ligaments and cartilage.

Traditional Treatment of Knee Pain

Knee pain that persists for more than a couple of days should be examined by a physician. Knee pain that occurs as the result of a traumatic injury should also be treated by a physician as soon as possible. Treatment for knee pain largely depends on the cause of your knee pain. For conditions such as arthritis and overuse injuries, rest, ice, elevation, compression, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and activity modification may be used. For those who suffer for a traumatic injury, immobilization or surgery may be required.

Vitamin D and Knee Pain

Vitamin D -- also referred to as the sunshine vitamin -- can be absorbed through sun exposure as well as through a variety of different foods, including egg yolks; liver; fish; and fortified products, such as bread, milk and cereal. Vitamin D plays an important role in helping your body to properly use and absorb calcium. Calcium, the most abundant mineral in your body, is responsible for building and maintaining strong, healthy bones and joints. This vitamin can help to strengthen your knee as well as help you to recover from injury and prevent re-injury to your knee. "The Vitamin Book" indicates that vitamin D can also help to reduce knee inflammation. Knee inflammation can be caused by arthritis, overuse injuries and traumatic injuries to the knee. Without vitamin D, your body will begin to use the calcium from your bones in other regions of your body. This can leave your knees weak and more likely to become injured.

Recommended Dietary Allowance

To receive adequate amounts of vitamin D and to help ensure the health of your knees, take the recommended dietary allowance -- or RDA -- of vitamin D. Recommended intake of vitamin D depends largely on your age and sex. For children ages 1 to 13, 600 international units are recommended daily. Youth between the ages of 14 and 18 years old should consume 600 IU as well on a daily basis. Adults between the ages of 19 and 50 years old also need 600 IU daily. For individuals over the age 70, 800 IU is recommended daily.