The purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to apply an 8-week customized exercise program to patients (group E) scheduled for total hip arthroplasty, followed by a postsurgery exercise program, and show the effect on functional recovery compared with control subjects (group C) who received no additional exercise apart from routine in-hospital physical therapy. Strength, range of motion, and physical function tests were completed by 57 patients at week 8 and week 1 before surgery and at weeks 3, 12, and 24 postoperatively. No differences between the exercise and control groups were observed at baseline. By 1 week before surgery, patients in group E had shown significant improvements for Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (total score, stiffness, and physical function components), and combined hip strength. Patients in group E had improved hip flexion range of motion in the diseased hip compared with patients in group C. Significant differences in outcome measures between group E and group C were observed throughout the postoperative phase from weeks 3 to 24. The current study showed that customized perioperative exercise programs are well tolerated by patients with end-stage hip arthritis, and are effective in improving early recovery of physical function after total hip arthroplasty.
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