Objective To review the application and research progress of dexamethasone in the perioperative period of joint arthroplasty and arthroscopic surgery. Methods The relevant domestic and foreign literature in recent years was extensively reviewed. The application status and therapeutic effect of dexamethasone in the perioperative period of joint arthroplasty and arthroscopic surgery were summarized. Results Studies have shown that intravenous administration of 10-24 mg dexamethasone before or/and within 24-48 hours after operation can reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting, and reduce the consumption of opioids in patients after hip and knee arthroplasties with high safety. The duration of nerve block during arthroscopic surgery can be prolonged by perineural injecting local anesthetics and 4-8 mg dexamethasone, but the effect of postoperative analgesia is still controversial. Conclusion Dexamethasone is widely used in joint and sports medicine. It has the effects of analgesia, antiemetic, and prolonging the time of nerve block. In the future, high-quality clinical studies on the application of dexamethasone in shoulder, elbow, and ankle arthroplasties and arthroscopic surgery are needed, and more attention should be paid to the long-term safety of dexamethasone.