109 patients were investigated in this study to compare combined exercise therapy and patient education with patient education alone. The main outcome measure was survival of the original hip as opposed to total hip replacement (THR) in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). Other outcome measures included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Results indicated that patients who received exercise therapy in addition to patient education were less likely to require total hip replacement, or required it at a later time than patients receiving solely education intervention. Furthermore, greater hip function was observed in the exercise therapy group.