Observational studyInternational orthopaedics2026
Association between perioperative zinc supplementation and recovery of walking ability after hip fracture surgery: a propensity score-matched study.
Observational study in International orthopaedics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Societe Internationale de Chirugie Orthopedique et Tramatologie: Celebrating one hundred years of friendship and scientific exchange.International orthopaedics · 2026Article
- A brief story of Japanese orthopaedics: from the ancestral origins in Kyushu and Nara to the foundation of the Japanese orthopedic association in Tokyo.International orthopaedics · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
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Abstract
purposeHip fractures are frequently associated with poor functional outcomes, partly due to underlying nutritional deficiencies such as zinc deficiency. However, the role of zinc supplementation in the postoperative functional recovery of patients with hip fractures remains unclear.
methodsThis prospective observational study included 75 patients with hip fractures who were ambulatory before injury and underwent surgical treatment. The patients were allocated into a zinc supplementation group (group Z) and control group (group C). Group Z received oral zinc supplementation (50 mg/day) from admission until two weeks postoperatively. The primary outcome was the recovery of walking ability at discharge, defined as achieving a level equal to or better than the pre-injury status. The secondary outcomes included changes in walking score (Δ walking score) and serum zinc levels. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce confounding factors, resulting in 26 matched pairs. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of functional recovery.
resultsHypozincaemia was found in 98.7% of the patients at admission. After propensity score matching, the rate of walking ability recovery was significantly higher in group Z than in group C (61.5% vs. 26.9%, p < 0.05). The Δ walking score was also significantly greater in group Z. The change in serum Zn level from admission to two weeks postoperatively was significantly higher in group Z. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified zinc supplementation as the only independent predictor of walking ability recovery (odds ratio, 3.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-13.70; p < 0.05).
conclusionsPerioperative zinc supplementation was significantly associated with improved walking ability recovery after hip fracture surgery. Given its simplicity and safety, zinc supplementation might be a practical strategy for improving postoperative functional outcomes in this patient population. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
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