Evaluating Contralateral Corticosteroid Injection to Improve Recovery After Total Knee Replacement Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of peri-operative contralateral corticosteroid injections in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty TKA for osteoarthritis, through a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial. The study aims to assess whether these injections improve pain, function, and patient satisfaction by targeting the un-operated knee, which can influence recovery and rehabilitation after unilateral TKA. This trial addresses a knowledge gap regarding contralateral steroid injections and their impact on surgical outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either an ultrasound-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection containing methylprednisolone and bupivacaine in the contralateral knee after spinal anesthesia or a sham treatment involving a band-aid application. The corticosteroid injection is given during the regional anesthesia procedure just before surgery. The comparison evaluates effects on pain and functional recovery following unilateral knee replacement. Throughout the study, participants will be followed for up to one year after surgery. Assessments include the Oxford Knee Score, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, EuroQol EQ-5D-5L quality of life measure, knee range of motion, Timed Up and Go Test, and the Forgotten Joint Score. These outcomes are measured at 4, 8, 12 weeks, and one year post-surgery to monitor pain control, function, and patient-reported outcomes. The study also carefully monitors safety and patient satisfaction over this timeline.

COntralateral CorticoSTeroid Injection in Total Knee Arthroplasty