Methods/design: This protocol describes a single-blinded randomized controlled trial, where 104 participants
referred for inpatient rehabilitation following TKA will be recruited. Participants will be randomized using
computer-generated numbers to one of two groups: usual care or usual care with additional hip strengthening
exercises. Participants will attend physiotherapy daily during their inpatient length of stay, and will then attend
between six and eight physiotherapy sessions as an outpatient. Primary outcomes are isometric hip abductor
strength and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Secondary outcomes are stair climb test,
6 min walk test, timed up and go, 40 m fast-paced walk test, 30 second chair stand test, isometric quadriceps
strength, Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and SF-12. Outcome measures will be recorded at baseline
(admission to inpatient rehabilitation), and then 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 6 months post admission to rehabilitation.