2024 AAOS Annual Meeting: Methylprednisolone taper is an effective addition to multimodal pain regimens after total shoulder arthroplasty: results of a randomized controlled trial

67 patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty were randomized to receive either a tapering course of methylprednisolone (n=35) or a control group (n=32). Outcomes of interest included pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), cumulative oxycodone tablet consumption, opioid-related side effects, quality of life, shoulder function by Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and the incidence of infections and other complications. The treatment group saw a reduction in mean VAS pain scores and a decrease in oxycodone consumption. There were fewer opioid-related side effects reported in the first postoperative week. No differences were found in quality of life, SANE, and ASES scores at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or at final follow-up. The control group had one infection and the treatment group had one postoperative cubital tunnel.