A randomized, double-blind clinical trial study published in Clinical Spine Surgery depicted that protein supplementation reduces pain, and leads to improvement in recovery and vertebral fusion in people undergoing posterior spine fusion surgery. Razieh khalooeifard et al. aimed to determine the effect of protein supplementation on healing and fusion factors.

Notably, the subjects were segregated into: (i) Intervention arm: Given a diet with a high-protein supplement (36 g whey protein) along with 1.2 g of protein, and (ii) Control arm: Given a similar diet except for starch as a placebo from 48 hours before to one month post-surgery. Compared with the control group, a considerably greater rate of vertebral fusion was observed in the intervention group.

In the intervention arm, the pain and surgical site infection were remarkably lower. A considerable difference was seen in the rate of wound healing in support of the intervention group. When compared to the control group, the intervention group exhibited an increase in alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, and serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1.

The rate of decrease in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels was higher in the intervention group vs. the control group. Thus, protein supplementation is beneficial for people scheduled to undergo posterior spine fusion surgery.