Hip replacement and prednisolone

[Katsmam]

I’m currently awaiting a hip replacement and am taking 5 mg a day prednisolone. Can I have the surgery on this level of steroids ?

[Gottarelax]

Obviously, check with your surgeon. I'm not suggesting you do this, but for people that are on long term prednisolone, it is often recommended to actually up the dose before surgery. My mother was on very high dose steroids for knee replacements and other ops.

"Steroid Medications

If you have recently taken a course of steroids or are on long-term steroid therapy, make sure to tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist. Steroid medications, such as Prednisone®, should be continued both during and after surgery. Most likely, your surgeon will give you additional doses at the start of your procedure. This is because long-term steroid therapy suppresses the adrenal gland, which manufactures the steroids your body needs. Inadequate steroid levels during surgery can lead to hypotension or low blood pressure."

orthoinfo.org/en/treatment/...

[bpeal1]

That is a question for your surgeon. There are so many varying factors we can’t possibly give advice. Ultimately it’s the surgeons decision whether or not surgery goes ahead so you need to follow their advice. If you’ve not got another appointment before the surgery contact the surgeon’s secretary and ask the question.

[Amnesiac3637]

I have been on long-term steroids for 34 years at a dose of 7.5 mgs daily. I’ve had two hip replacements seven years apart and at each the anaesthetist gave me extra steroid cover in case of adrenal suppression.

Your surgeon will advise you at your pre-op appointment and if you have questions ask then. You certainly won’t be told to stop Prednisolone and may be told to increase your dose for a short time though I never had to do that.

Do hope your op goes smoothly and you make a speedy recovery. It’s definitely worth having it done for the instant relief of that hideously disabling pain!

[Runrig01]

Yes, it will not be an issue being on that dise of prednisolone. As Gottorelax says, the anaesthetist is likely to give you extra, at the start of the procedure. I have severe adrenal insufficiency, and make no cortisol, so rely on steroid tablets, and injections. I would raise it at the pre assessment appointment, and they will also inform the anaesthetist. If you have been on them long term, there are national guidelines for them to follow, to keep you safe. Here is the guidelines, it’s page 3 fir patients on 5mgs or more for more than 4 weeks.

addisonsdisease.org.uk/Hand...