16 December 2025

Vitamin D Deficiency and Knee Pain: The Hidden Link

Could a vitamin deficiency be causing your knee pain? Discover how low Vitamin D affects bone health and joint pain, and how to fix it.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Knee Pain: The Hidden Link

You have knee pain, but X-rays look normal. What's going on?

It might be your blood, not your bone.

Vitamin D Deficiency is an epidemic in India (despite the sun!), and it is a major hidden cause of vague bone and joint pain.


How Vitamin D Affects Knees

1. Bone Softening (Osteomalacia)

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Without it, your bones become soft and achey.

  • This creates a deep, dull, throbbing pain in the legs and knees, often worse at night.

2. Muscle Weakness

Vitamin D is essential for muscle function. Low levels lead to weak quadriceps, which destabilizes the knee joint.

3. Increased Pain Sensitivity

Studies show that people with low Vitamin D simply feel pain more intensely (lower pain threshold).


How to Fix It

  1. Test: Get a simple blood test (25-hydroxy Vitamin D).
  2. Sun: 20 minutes of midday sun (without sunscreen) helps, but is often not enough for severe deficiency.
  3. Supplement: Your doctor may prescribe a weekly sachet or tablet for 8-12 weeks to boost levels.

Takeaway

Before you jump to surgery or expensive scans, check your Vitamin D. A simple sachet might be the cure.

Dr. Abhijit Kale

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