A rational regimen for perioperative steroid supplements and a clinical assessment of the requirement.

Sixty-one patients with rheumatoid arthritis on long-term corticosteroid treatment were managed for 107 orthopaedic procedures using a flexible method of supplementary steroid cover. It was found that the amount actually required was surprisingly small and in 78% of the operations no postoperative supplements were given. There were no consistent factors which would predict a requirement for supplementary steroids in any particular individual.