Could a short steroid course after surgery reduce pain and nausea?
NCT ID NCT03661645
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether a 6-day course of oral steroids after orthopedic surgery can help reduce pain, nausea, and improve movement. About 500 adults having common surgeries like joint replacement or fracture repair will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care or standard care plus the steroid taper. The goal is to see if the extra steroids lead to better recovery.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 500 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2018
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 95 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients of Emory Hand Surgeons undergoing surgery for an upper extremity fracture who are willing to participate in the study will be included in the study (Including American Orthopedic(AO) and American Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) AO/OTA Classification 1, 2, and 7 +/- Type A, B, C). * Patients of Emory Hand Surgeons undergoing Total Shoulder Arthroplasty or Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty who are willing to participate in the study will be included in the study (Walsh Classification A-D). * Patients of Emory Hand Surgeons undergoing surgery for upper extremity arthritis (ex. carpometacarpal arthroplasty) * Patients of Emory Hand Surgeons undergoing release for upper extremity compressive neuropathies (ex. carpal tunnel surgery) * Patients of Emory Hand Surgeons undergoing procedures for upper extremity tendon pathologies (ex. tendon repair) * Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the hip * Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the knee * Between the ages of 18 years and 95 years. * Patients willing and able to provide written and informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with concurrent and significant injuries to other bones or organs. * Patients with local infections. * Patients who are minors, vulnerable subjects, or who are not willing to consent to participate in the study. * History of alcohol or medical abuse, allergies to glucocorticoids, daily use of glucocorticoids or chronic opioid use prior to the injury (morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, ketobemidone, methadone, nico morphine, oxycodone, and meperidine), history of severe heart disease ( New York Heart Association (NYHA 2)), renal failure, or liver dysfunction, active peptic ulcer disease, diabetic neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurological or psychiatric diseases, potentially influencing pain perception. * Women who are pregnant * Patients with pre-existing immune suppression, where further immune suppression with GCs could warrant unwarranted or unneeded risk. * Subjects who, in the opinion of the investigator, may be non-compliant with study schedules or procedures.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
3 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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21 Ortho Lane
Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
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Emory Clinic A, Clifton Road Clinic
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
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Emory Healthcare Orthopaedics and Spine Center
Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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