37 patients, over the age of 65 years, with a femoral neck fracture who were scheduled for operative fixation, were randomized to a preoperative IV dose of either dexamethasone 0.1mh/kg or placebo. The purpose of this study was to determine if preoperative dexamethasone led to a significant reduction in pain and opioid consumption over the first 3 days and 1 week after surgery. Scores for pain at rest were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared to the placebo group at 6 hours, and morphine consumption within the first 24 hours was significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared to the placebo group. The difference between groups in pain scores on movement did not reach significance, and no significant differences in either pain comparison were found at subsequent follow-up time points.