C-reactive protein values and erythrocyte sedimentation rates after total hip and total knee arthroplasty

We studied the changes in serum C-reactive protein levels (CRP) and erythro cyte sedimentation rates (ESR) in patients with primary osteoarthritis, who underwent uncomplicated arthroplasty. Of the 28 patients studied, 12 had c ementless total hip replacement (THR), and 16 underwent cemented total knee replacement (TKR) with a tourniquet. In both groups serum CRP levels incre ased rapidly after surgery, peaking on day 2 (THR 23.17 mg/dl, TKR 26.02 mg /dl), and dropping gradually to pre-operative values on day 21 in THR patie nts and at the end of the second month in TKR patients. ESR peaked on day 5 after operation (THR 100.5 mm/h, TKR 101.3 mm/h), dropping close to pre-op erative values at the end of the third month in THR patients and at the end of the ninth month in TKR patients, although, even after a year, ESRs were slightly above their pre-operative values. Serum CRP levels changed more r apidly than ESRs and returned to normal more rapidly. CRP and ESR values te nded to be higher in TKR than in THR patients.