Rehabilitation and total hip replacement: patients' perspectives on provision

This paper examines the effectiveness of the rehabilitation component of to tal hip replacement (THR). It focuses on contrasting rehabilitation regimes in two hospitals in the north of England. Using qualitative methods, patie nts' perceived needs and goals are described, and the responsiveness of the interventions to their requirements is examined. The provision of informat ion, equipment, and therapy was found to be useful in terms of preparing pa tients for their operation and facilitating their recovery, but less so in terms of helping them cope with any problems experienced after the operatio n. Drawing on patients' perspectives, a set of guidelines for good practice in rehabilitation for THR is presented.