Pain control and early range of motion following total knee arthroplasty are essential for patient satisfaction. Intraoperative steroids (dexamethasone) have been shown to have a significant effect in controlling acute pain following total knee arthroplasty. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a post-operative steroid (methylprednisolone) taper in improving functional and patient-reported outcomes following total knee arthroplasty. A taper means taking a high dose of a medication followed by taking lower doses and each following day until the medication is stopped.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
6-day 4 milligram methylprednisolone oral taper
4 milligram intravenous dexamethasone will be administered intraoperatively
UPMC East
Monroeville, Pennsylvania, United States
UPMC Shadyside Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Daily Pain at rest and with movement
numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 (0=minimal, 10=maximal) will be used to capture patient experienced pain
Time frame: daily for two weeks
Prescription narcotic usage
Oral morphine equivalent units will be collected based on patient usage of prescribed narcotic pain medication
Time frame: daily for two weeks
Sleep disturbance
Patients will be asked if pain caused them to be awoken in the night and if so what level of pain they were experiencing at that time
Time frame: daily for two weeks
Knee Range of motion
goniometric measurement of knee extension and flexion
Time frame: 2-week, 6-week and 3-month postoperative visits
Wound healing
Surgical site will be evaluated for normal wound healing
Time frame: 2-week, 6-week and 3-month postoperative visits
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores
Questionnaire assessing for function will be administered (0= extreme problems present, 100= no problems present)
Time frame: 2-week, 6-week and 3-month postoperative visits
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