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Medrol Dosepak for Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty

An Oral Methylprednisolone Taper Within a Multimodal Analgesic Regimen After Total Knee Arthroplasty: a Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* Any patient undergoing primary TKA with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis

  •≥ 18 years old
* Willingness to undergo randomization

Exclusion Criteria:

* Reported chronic corticosteroid or opiate use
* Suspected or confirmed periprosthetic joint infection
* Revision TKA
* Primary diagnosis other than osteoarthritis, including avascular necrosis, fracture, or post-traumatic arthritis
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥ 4
* Reported history of liver disease, renal disease, or diabetes mellitus
* Current systemic fungal infection or other local infection
* Immunocompromised or immunosuppressed
* Current peptic ulcer disease
* History of hypothyroidism, psychosis, heart failure, myasthenia gravis, ocular herpes simplex virus, or systemic sclerosis
* Women with reported current pregnancy
* Known hypersensitivity to methylprednisolone

  •≤ 18 years old
* Inability to take oral medications
* Unable to provide consent

About the study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an oral methylprednisolone taper on acute postoperative pain, function, opioid consumption, nausea, and complications following outpatient total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hypothesize that administration of an oral methylprednisolone taper starting on postoperative day 1 (POD 1) following TKA will be associated with improved pain and decreased opioid use, nausea, and complications at POD1-7, as compared to similar patients who receive placebo. Additionally, those taking methylprednisolone will report decreased pain and greater objective functional outcomes at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively as compared to controls.

What is being tested

• Methylprednisolone (drug)
• Placebo (drug)

Sponsor: Rush University Medical Center · Participants: 420 · Started: Mar 1, 2022

Contact the study team

• Anne DeBenedetti · Phone: 3124322468

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05097976

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Pain After Surgery

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.