Dexamethasone and Pain Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Summary

The purpose of the study is three fold. First to determine the ideal dose of dexamethasone intraoperatively that will reduce acute pain and opioid consumption. Second determine if dexamethasone at the time of surgery reduces chronic pain following total knee arthroplasty and finally determine if a pro-inflammatory environment makes patients susceptible to chronic pain after surgery and can dexamethasone alter this environment. Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty will be randomized to four groups ( 0mg, 6mg, 12mg and 24mg dexamethasone) and assessments will be made of acute and chronic pain and quality of life measures. Blood samples will be drawn to assess Interleukin levels and for Macrophage sorting. For the primary efficacy endpoint of reduction of opioid consumption over 24 hours after surgery the dexamethasone regimen group will be compared to standard of care group using t-test. For comparisons of the secondary efficacy endpoints, t-test, Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test will be used. Risks of this study include the risks of venipuncture and intravenous dexamethasone administration.

Timeline

Start

2014-12

Primary completion

2016-01

Completion

2016-07

Drugs

Indications