Low-dose Perioperative Dexamethasone Improves 24-hour Post-Operative Pain after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

• Published in: Malaysian orthopaedic journal 2022-03, Vol.16 (1), p.76-83
• Main Authors: K, Khatri, G, Sidhu, S, Jindal, D, Bansal, D, Goyal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; dexamethasone; knee; Original Study; post- operative pain
• ISSN: 1985-2533; 2232-111X
• DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2203.011

INTRODUCTION: Post-operative pain following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction remains an important challenge. Steroids are used in various surgical procedures to decrease post-operative nausea, vomiting and pain. However, only a few studies have reported the effect of systemic administration of steroids in controlling post- operative pain after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have conducted a prospective randomised trial with 109 patients divided into two groups to determine if administration of dexamethasone in the perioperative period improves pain in the post-operative period. The patients were divided into two groups: D, treatment (dexamethasone) and P, control placebo (saline). Patients in the D treatment group were given the first dose of 10mg of intravenous dexamethasone intravenously intra- operatively and the second dose on transferring of the patient to the inpatient department. The patients in the placebo P group, were administered normal saline in the perioperative period in a similar manner. RESULTS: Post-operative pain was significantly less in the dexamethasone group at rest and on walking (p