The Effect of Hypovitaminosis D and Vitamin D Supplementation on Fracture Nonunion Rates

Inclusion Criteria: * presence of a long bone fracture (humerus, femur, or tibia) * age greater than or equal to 18 years * ability to follow-up at our clinic for 12 months Exclusion Criteria: * pathologic fractures (i.e. occuring in the presence of abnormal bone such as a tumor, cyst, or Paget's disease) * open fractures (i.e. associated skin disruption) of Gustilo-Anderson type IIIB or C (i.e. significant soft-tissue and bone devitalization) * presence of multiple fractures * delay in presentation for initial treatment of more than 2 weeks from the time of injury * preexisting disorders known to adversely affect bone healing (e.g. diabetes mellitus with HbA1C greater than or equal to 7, peripheral vascular disease, certain connective tissue disorders, and congenital or acquired disorders of bone metabolism) * preexisting disorders affecting Vitamin D metabolism and/or calcium phosphate homeostasis (e.g. renal failure, hepatic failure, congenital defects in vitamin D metabolism, parathyroid disorders, conditions causing abnormal calcium and/or phosphate absorption) * pregnant patients * patients who are unable to provide consent for the study * patients who are unable to swallow due to acuity of illness or physiologic reason * prisoners who are patients because of their vulnerable population and inability to follow-up