The efficacy and safety of two low-dose peri-operative dexamethasone on pain and recovery following total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose To evalute the efficacy and safety of two low-dose peri-operative dexamethasone on pain and recovery following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods One hundred ten patients received two-dose of 10 mg IV-dexamethasone (group dexa) or IV-isotonic saline (group placebo). The level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), pain at rest and during mobilization, incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), intensity of nausea, post-operative fatigue, consumption of analgesic and antiemetic rescue, range of motion (ROM), post-operative length of stay (post-operative LOS), wound problems and complications were recorded and compared. Results The level of inflammation markers (CRP, IL-6) in group dexa was lower than group placebo at 24, 48, 72 hours post-operatively. Dynamic pain VAS score at 24 hours was lower in group dexa ( P = 0.002), however, there was no significant effect on pain at rest. In group dexa, patients had a lower incidence of PONV ( P = 0.003), as well as a lower VAS score of nausea ( P = 0.044). The post-operative fatigue ( P