It is not known whether postsurgery systemic inflammation and plasma amino acid abnormalities are still present during
rehabilitation of individuals after elective hip arthroplasty (EHA). Sixty subjects (36 females; age 66.58±8.37 years) were randomized
to receive 14-day oral EAAs (8 g/day) or a placebo (maltodextrin). At admission to and discharge from the rehabilitation center,
serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and venous plasma amino acid concentrations were determined. Post-EHA hip function was
evaluated by Harris hip score (HHS) test. Ten matched healthy subjects served as controls. At baseline, all patients had high CRP
levels, considerable reduction in several amino acids, and severely reduced hip function (HHS 40.78±2.70 scores). After treatment,
inflammation decreased both in the EAA group and in the placebo group. Only EAA patients significantly improved their levels of
glycine, alanine, tyrosine, and total amino acids. In addition, they enhanced the rate of hip function recovery (HHS) (from baseline
41.8 ± 1.15 to 76.37 ± 6.6 versus baseline 39.78 ± 4.89 to 70.0 ± 7.1 in placebo one;