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. 2014 Apr;8(4):GC01-4.
doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/8232.4305. Epub 2014 Apr 15.

Effect of intravenous methylprednisolone on pain after intertrochanteric femoral fracture surgery

Poupak Rahimzadeh  1 , Farnad Imani  2 , Seyed Hamid Reza Faiz  2 , Nasim Nikoubakht  3 , Azadeh Sayarifard  4
Affiliations

Effect of intravenous methylprednisolone on pain after intertrochanteric femoral fracture surgery

Poupak Rahimzadeh et al. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Pain after surgery is one of the major problems in patients with intertrochanteric fracture. This study investigates administration of single-dose Methylprednisolone prior to surgery with the goal of reducing Post-operative pain.

Materials and methods: The study was a Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. Eighty two patients with stable intertrochanteric unilateral fracture were selected and divided into two groups: one received Methylprednisolone (MP) 125 mg and the other received placebo. Pain was evaluated at rest and 45° flexion of the hip in times 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours and during walking in times 24, 36, and 48 hours after the surgery. Post-operative nausea, vomiting and fatigue and changes in C - reactive protein (CRP) levels before and after the surgery were also recorded.

Results: Pain at rest, 45° flexion of the hip and during walking after the surgery was significantly lower in the MP group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Fatigue (p = 0.002) and changes in CRP (p=0.001) were significantly lower in MP group. Incidence of nausea, vomiting (p = 0.37) and opioid consumption (p = 0.49) were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion: Single-dose methylprednisolone 125 mg (IV) can reduce Post-operative pain in patients with intertrochanteric fracture undergoing elective surgery.

Keywords: Intertrochanteric fractures; Methylprednisolone; Post-operative pain.

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Figures

[Table/Fig-1]:
[Table/Fig-1]:
Flow diagram of patients in the trial. n= number of patient
[Table/Fig-4]:
[Table/Fig-4]:
Comparison of VAS mean score at rest in Methylprednisolone (MP) and Placebo groups.
[Table/Fig-5]:
[Table/Fig-5]:
Comparison of VAS mean score upon 450 flexion hip in Methylprednisolone (MP) and Placebo groups,
[Table/Fig-6]:
[Table/Fig-6]:
Comparison of VAS mean score during walking in Methylprednisolone (MP) and Placebo groups
[Table/Fig-8]:
[Table/Fig-8]:
Comparison of fatigue score in Methylprednisolone (MP) and Placebo groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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