Table 1 Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Subjective complaint of hip pain with either hip internal rotation

< 15° and hip flexion <115° or

2. ≥15° hip internal rotation and pain on hip internal rotation, morning stiffness less than or equal to 60 minutes, age > 50 years.

(American College Rheumatology Clinical criteria for the diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis) [53]

3. Age 40–80 years except in 2 above (age >50 years).

4. Radiological evidence of osteoarthritis (2 of the following 3 criteria): osteophytes, joint space narrowing, ESR<20 mm/hr.

(American College of Rheumatology Criteria for the Classification and Reporting of Osteoarthritis of the Hip) [53].

Exclusion Criteria

1. Previous hip arthroplasty, history of congenital/adolescent hip disease

2. Clinical signs of lumbar spine disease

3. Physiotherapy in previous 6 months

4. Pregnancy

5. Hip fracture

6. Contraindications to exercise therapy (unstable angina/blood pressure, myocardial infarction in previous three months, cardiomyopathy, uncontrolled metabolic disease, recent ECG changes, advanced COPD, third degree heart block)[54]

7. On waiting list for joint replacement within the next 27 weeks

8. Rheumatic diseases e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, etc.

9. Intra-articular hip corticosteroid injection in previous 30 days

10. Insufficient English language to complete questionnaires