70 patients undergoing unilateral fast-track total knee arthroplasty were included in this trial to determine if a single preoperative dose of methylprednisolone can reduce the loss of knee-extension strength at discharge. Patients were randomized to receive a preoperative injection of methylprednisolone or placebo. Outcomes included knee extension strength (Nm/kg), knee circumference, the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, knee pain, on a visual analog scale, during knee extension strength test and TUG test, and C-reactive protein levels. There were no differences between groups in the loss of knee extension strength, knee circumference, timed up-and-go tests and knee pain. C-reactive protein levels were significantly reduced in the methylprednisolone group at 24 and 48 hours.