Is Preoperative or Postoperative Exercise Therapy Useful in Total Hip Arthroplasty?

For patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty, both preoperative and postoperative exercise therapy often are recommended, despite variable and weak evidence of benefit. In this meta-analysis, researchers identified 22 studies (total patients, 1004) in which hip-arthroplasty patients were randomized to one or both forms of exercise therapy; comparison groups received usual care or varying degrees of minimal intervention. Both preop and postop programs ranged from 1 to 12 weeks in length and were provided on 2 to 7 days weekly.

In assessments in various studies at 4, 12, and 26 weeks and 1 year, the primary outcome of self-reported functional status did not differ between intervention and control groups. Additionally, neither hospital lengt…