To develop clinical practice guidelines concerning the interest of post-operative rehabilitation in a physical medicine and functional rehabilitation (PMR) ward after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

The SOFMER (French Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society) methodology, associating a systematic literature review, collection of everyday clinical practice, and external review by a multidisciplinary expert panel, was used. Main outcomes were impairment, disability, medico-economic implications and postoperative complications.

Post-operative rehabilitation in a PMR ward after THA is recommended for frail patients because of their functional status, and/or associated co-morbidities, and/or post-operative complications. For patients in whom sustained rehabilitation is not necessary, but who cannot return home, a stay in a non-specific (non-PMR) post-operative center could be recommended. Post-operative rehabilitation in a PMR ward after THA could reduce the length of stay in a surgical ward and increase the functional status of patients. The total cost of the different modalities of post-operative rehabilitation after THA needs evaluation.

This study suggests a value of rehabilitation in a PMR ward after THA, but good methodological quality studies are needed to evaluate the cost/benefit ratio of rehabilitation in a PMR ward after THA in the French health care system.