High dose Vitamin C before surgery?

by Connie T
(Omro, WI USA)

I am having a ligament reconstruction, tendon interposition surgery. My doctor has advised me to start taking 5000 mg of Vitamin C per day. Why would this be beneficial before surgery?

Hi Connie,
High dose vitamin C has been shown to influence tendon and ligament healing. For instance, a study on the healing effects of vitamin c on Achilles tendon healing showed accelerated healing from vitamin C in rats. Other sources that do not include specific cites to evidence concur that the human body uses vitamin C in great quantities in regenerating connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments. Thus,high levels of vitamin C are believed to accelerate the healing of surgical wounds and in your case tendons.