Two doses of low-dose perioperative dexamethasone improve the clinical outcome after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled study

108 patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty were randomized to two perioperative doses of either intravenous dexamethasone 10mg or intravenous saline. Patients were followed up over the first three days postoperatively. Pain scores at rest and on movement were significantly lower in the IV dexamethasone group compared to the control group at 24 hours, but not 48 or 72 hours. Additionally, requirement of rescue oxycodone and rescue metoclopramide was significantly lower among the IV dexamethasone group compared to the control group.