Vitamin C Supplement for Lumbar Spine Surgery

Vitamin C Supplementation for Lumbar Spine Surgical Patients

By doing this study, researchers hope to learn effects of Vit C on lumbar spine surgery outcomes.

Lumbar spine surgeries are common procedures for management of low back pain and their prevalence is increasing. However, their outcomes are less than optimal.

An effective and inexpensive solution to minimizing surgical complications and expediting recovery following lumbar spine surgery could be supplementation using high doses of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. Vit C can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and improve immune system and body's own chemicals to fight pain.

The researchers want to examine if Vit C is effective in decreasing pain and pain medications and improving function. Gaining a better understanding of effects of Vit C on patient recovery may lead to improved outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients scheduled to have a lumbar spine fusion
• Can read and understand the English language
• BMI 35 or less

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients taking certain medications
• lumbar spine laminectomy or discectomy
• taking a Vit C supplement
• pregnancy
• Cauda equine syndrome or spinal tumor
• neurological, neurodegenerative or cognitive issues
• renal pathology
• sickle cell anemia
• iron metabolism disorder