[Descriptive analysis of C-Reactive values after uncomplicated total hip and knee arthroplasty]

Serum C-Reactive Protein was measured serially in 45 patients treated with uncomplicated primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (24 THR y 21 TKR). Blood specimens were obtained before surgery, on surgery day and on the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 13th, 42nd and 150th postoperative days. In both groups serum CRP levels increased rapidly after surgery, with maximum levels on second postoperative day, higher in the TKR group and decreased gradually to preoperative levels on day 150, but still high on 42nd day. Levels returned to normal after surgery at the same time in both groups and no significant differences were found. Rising CRP levels after the third postoperative day may suggest a surgery complication such as infection.