Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is effective in reducing pain and improving function for end-stage knee
osteoarthritis. However, muscle weakness and functional limitations persist despite assistance from post-operative
rehabilitation programs that traditionally focus on quadriceps strengthening and range of movement exercises. Hip
abductor muscle weakness is evident in knee osteoarthritis and hip muscle strengthening reduces knee pain in this
group. Following TKA, people with weak hip abductor strength perform more poorly on measures of physical
function. However, very little is known of the effectiveness of including hip abductor strengthening exercises in
post-operative rehabilitation. The aim of this trial is to compare the effects of targeted hip abductor strengthening
to those of traditional care in a TKA rehabilitation program on muscle strength, patient reported outcomes and
functional performance measures.