After undergoing the required rehabilitation programs post major surgery there appears to be a gap in the literature available as to the improvement and sustenance of physical activity levels. If physical activity is a key component of a healthy life style then its promotion and monitoring would enhance and inform the rehabilitation process. The promotion of physical activity has been successful in populations using pedometers as motivational tools. Whilst, these interventions have been implemented widely there is limited evidence specifically in populations following orthopaedic surgery. Perhaps this is because recovery to 'healthy' levels of activity has not been seen as an important objective of the rehabilitation process and simple functional recovery is all that has been targeted.