Abstract:Objective To investigate the clinical significance of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) levels in patients receiving artificial hip replacement. Methods Eighty-one patients who underwent artificial hip replacement were enrolled. ESR, serum CRP and SAA levels were measured before and on day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 and at month 1 and 3 after ope-ration. Results Serum CRP and SAA levels were elevated in all the patients after surgery, peaked on day 3 after operation [average concentration (125.35 ± 40.43) mg/L and (284.54 ± 87.11) mg/L, respectively], and returned to normal level 1 month later. ESR was the highest on day 7 after operation [ (68.41 ± 27.51) mm/h], and returned to normal level 3 months later. Albeit all showing peaking features, the peak levels of serum CRP and SAA occurred and abated earlier compared with that of ESR, which demonstrated better stability. Conclusions Changes in serum levels of ESR, CRP and SAA reflect the degrees of post-operative inflammation in patients undergoing hip replacement. Compared with ESR level, the levels of CRP and SAA have higher sensitivity and accuracy. Prognostication of early infection after hip replacement based on a combination of these three parameters is of certain clinical significance.