Functional Exercise After Total Hip Replacement (FEATHER)

• WOMAC Western Ontario and Mc Master osteoarthritis index questionaire [ Time Frame: 3 YEARS ]
  Multi dimensional self administered health status instrument used to measure changes in the dimensions of pain stiffness and function.
  
  

• Six minute walk test, [ Time Frame: 3 years ]
  Physical performance test used to measure the distance covered in a set timeframe.
  
  
• Short form SF- 12 [ Time Frame: 3 YEARS ]
  Self completed questionaire that measures health status and quality of life under eight multi item scales measuring physical function, bodily pain, role limitation due to physical health problems, general health, vitality, social function, role limitation due to emotional problems and mental health.
  
  
• HiP Abduction Strength Dynamometry [ Time Frame: 3 years ]
  Assessment scale of ability to maintain balance both statically and whilst performing various functional tasks will be completed by the principal investigator at week 12 and repeated for all patients at week 18.
  
  
• Real time ultrasound imaging of the gluteus medius muscles [ Time Frame: 3 years ]
  Patients will be scanned by a blinded radiologist to measure cross sectional area of the gluteus medius muscle at 12 weeks and again at 18 weeks.
  
  

This will be a single blind randomised controlled trial with two arms. 70 subjects post primary total hip replacement will be randomised either to a functional; exercise group (n=35) or to a control group following usual care (n=35).

Blinded outcome assessments will be carried out on all subjects by the principal investigator using the Western Ontario and Mc Master arthritis index on day 5 , week 12 aand week 18.

Secondary outcomes measurements will also be collated at week 12 and week 18 including SF 12, 6 min walk test, Dynamometry, and a blinded radiologist will also measure glut med cross sectional area using real time ultrasound at week 12 and week 18.