Effect of Peri-operative Glucocorticoids on Short-term Functional Outcome After THA

This randomized, single surgeon, placebo controlled, double blind study will be conducted in order to investigate whether or not peri-operative high doses of intravenous glucocorticoids improve short-term functional outcome after direct anterior total hip arthroplasty. So far, it has been proven that high dose glucocorticoids reduce immediate post-operative pain and nausea, but no data exists on functional outcome during the first 6 weeks. Our hypothesis is that patients in the intervention group will follow a so-called "get ahead, stay ahead" principle and that glucocorticoids can be considered an important tool (adjuvant treatment) in the enhanced recovery pathway after THA with significant socio-economic implications.