Perioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Background Even with the great advancements in recent years in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), some patients continue to have persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP). The advantages of systemic corticosteroids in the perioperative context have been further supported by previously published trial...

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Main Authors: Nitchanant Kitcharanant, Prangmalee Leurcharusmee, Pichitchai Atthakomol, Warakorn Jingjit
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05362-y
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author Nitchanant Kitcharanant
Prangmalee Leurcharusmee
Pichitchai Atthakomol
Warakorn Jingjit
author_facet Nitchanant Kitcharanant
Prangmalee Leurcharusmee
Pichitchai Atthakomol
Warakorn Jingjit
author_sort Nitchanant Kitcharanant
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Even with the great advancements in recent years in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), some patients continue to have persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP). The advantages of systemic corticosteroids in the perioperative context have been further supported by previously published trials. However, the impact of dexamethasone on the intensity of post-TKA PPSP is still unclear. We aimed to investigate its effect on the degree of PPSP and compare that with a placebo. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 48 patients undergoing unilateral TKA were given intravenous dexamethasone 10 mg or saline just before spinal anesthesia was induced, and they also received two additional doses of dexamethasone 10 mg or saline 24 and 48 h after surgery. A standardized, multimodal analgesic regimen was administered to each patient. The modified WOMAC pain scores at 12 weeks postoperative were the main outcome. The secondary outcomes included pain during a walk of five meters, pain during active knee flexion at 45 degrees, maximum pain at rest during the previous 24 h, nausea visual analogue scale values, and use of rescue opioid and antiemetic medications. Results There was no difference in modified WOMAC pain scores 12 weeks after surgery between patients who received and did not receive perioperative dexamethasone. At 24, 30, 48, 54, and 72 h following surgery, the dexamethasone group experienced considerably less pain during a five-meter walk and during 45 degrees active knee flexion (p < 0.01). At postoperative 0–24, 24–48, and 48–72 h, the dexamethasone group experienced less maximal pain at rest (p < 0.01). The dexamethasone group also had less visual analogue scale scores for nausea at 6, 24, 30, 48, and 54 h after surgery (p < 0.02). During the first 0–24 and 24–48 h, the dexamethasone group consumed fewer opioids and antiemetic medications (p < 0.01). All patients showed no signs of wound complications. Conclusions When compared to a placebo at 12 weeks after TKA, intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce PPSP. Nevertheless, early postoperative pain was relieved by perioperative intravenous dexamethasone, which also decreased the need for opioid and antiemetic medications and decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting. Trial registration NCT02760459.
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spelling doaj-art-00264d67a2e74f39a17ee6c2a2bc91e32025-08-20T01:57:16ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2024-12-0119111010.1186/s13018-024-05362-yPerioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialNitchanant Kitcharanant0Prangmalee Leurcharusmee1Pichitchai Atthakomol2Warakorn Jingjit3Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityDepartment of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityAbstract Background Even with the great advancements in recent years in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), some patients continue to have persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP). The advantages of systemic corticosteroids in the perioperative context have been further supported by previously published trials. However, the impact of dexamethasone on the intensity of post-TKA PPSP is still unclear. We aimed to investigate its effect on the degree of PPSP and compare that with a placebo. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 48 patients undergoing unilateral TKA were given intravenous dexamethasone 10 mg or saline just before spinal anesthesia was induced, and they also received two additional doses of dexamethasone 10 mg or saline 24 and 48 h after surgery. A standardized, multimodal analgesic regimen was administered to each patient. The modified WOMAC pain scores at 12 weeks postoperative were the main outcome. The secondary outcomes included pain during a walk of five meters, pain during active knee flexion at 45 degrees, maximum pain at rest during the previous 24 h, nausea visual analogue scale values, and use of rescue opioid and antiemetic medications. Results There was no difference in modified WOMAC pain scores 12 weeks after surgery between patients who received and did not receive perioperative dexamethasone. At 24, 30, 48, 54, and 72 h following surgery, the dexamethasone group experienced considerably less pain during a five-meter walk and during 45 degrees active knee flexion (p < 0.01). At postoperative 0–24, 24–48, and 48–72 h, the dexamethasone group experienced less maximal pain at rest (p < 0.01). The dexamethasone group also had less visual analogue scale scores for nausea at 6, 24, 30, 48, and 54 h after surgery (p < 0.02). During the first 0–24 and 24–48 h, the dexamethasone group consumed fewer opioids and antiemetic medications (p < 0.01). All patients showed no signs of wound complications. Conclusions When compared to a placebo at 12 weeks after TKA, intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce PPSP. Nevertheless, early postoperative pain was relieved by perioperative intravenous dexamethasone, which also decreased the need for opioid and antiemetic medications and decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting. Trial registration NCT02760459.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05362-yPerioperativeIntravenous DexamethasoneChronic PainTotal Knee Arthroplasty
spellingShingle Nitchanant Kitcharanant
Prangmalee Leurcharusmee
Pichitchai Atthakomol
Warakorn Jingjit
Perioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Perioperative
Intravenous Dexamethasone
Chronic Pain
Total Knee Arthroplasty
title Perioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_full Perioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_fullStr Perioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Perioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_short Perioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_sort perioperative intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce the severity of persistent postsurgical pain after total knee arthroplasty a prospective randomized double blind placebo controlled trial
topic Perioperative
Intravenous Dexamethasone
Chronic Pain
Total Knee Arthroplasty
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05362-y
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