Effect of Steroids on Thrombosis (Blood Clot Formation) and Inflammation in Patients Undergoing Hip Surgery

Effect of Steroids Given Over 24 Hours on Cytokine Release, Urinary Desmosine Level and Thrombogenic Markers in Patients Undergoing Unilateral Total Hip Replacement

Studies have shown that surgery causes some reactions in your body consistent with inflammation. When the inflammation is extensive, it may affect different parts of the body including the lungs. Corticosteroids are commonly used to treat inflammation and are different from performance enhancing steroids associated with athletics. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of low dose steroids given 3 times in a 24 hour period on thrombotic markers (markers that are associated with increased risks of clotting, a possible complication of surgery), interleukin (IL)-6 cytokine release (part of the stress response seen with surgery), and urine desmosine levels (a marker of lung injury) in a randomized placebo controlled trial patients undergoing total hip replacement.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing unilateral total hip replacement with Drs. Douglas Padgett, Thomas Sculco, or Edwin Su.
• Patients between the age of 50 and 90

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients on steroid therapy regardless of dose or duration of treatment or those requiring stress-dose steroids preoperatively
• Patients who are smokers
• Patients who have diabetes
• Patients who are <50 and >90 years of age
• Patients with history of prior difficulties tolerating corticosteroids