Services
Call Us
03-9069-3119
Hip And Knee Osteoarthritis (GLA:D Program)
Arthritis (GLA:D®)
GLA:D® is a research-backed education and exercise program developed in Denmark to assist individuals experiencing osteoarthritis symptoms in the hip and/or knee. Introduced to Australia in 2017, PhysioTime was the first clinic in South Australia to implement the program that same year. Since then, we have remained one of the largest providers of GLA:D® in the country.
Why Choose GLA:D®?
Current national and international guidelines recommend education, exercise, and weight management as the most effective first-line treatments for osteoarthritis. The GLA:D® program integrates all three elements, offering a personalized approach tailored to your level of function. This program is ideal for:
– Individuals whose hip or knee pain affects their ability to perform daily tasks such as work, house duties, gardening, shopping, or babysitting.
– Those wanting to stay active but uncertain about how to manage their hip and/or knee pain.
– Active individuals looking to maintain their fitness while managing joint pain from activities like sports, running, hiking, gym workouts, or dancing.
– People with specific goals such as preparing for a hike or upcoming travel.
– Those considering surgery or who are unfit for surgical procedures.
– Post-surgical patients who may benefit from a structured strengthening program.
– Individuals awaiting joint replacement surgery. Anecdotally, those who complete GLA:D® before surgery often experience quicker recovery due to improved strength and coordination.
Program Benefits
Danish research has shown that the GLA:D® program can reduce osteoarthritis symptom progression by 32%. At PhysioTime, our participants have achieved:
– 45% improvement in average pain levels
– 39% improvement in worst pain levels
– 30% improvement in quality of life scores
Additional benefits include reduced reliance on pain relief, decreased sick leave, and greater confidence in joint function. Participants consistently report high satisfaction with the program and sustained activity levels up to 12 months after completion.
What to Expect
The GLA:D® program at PhysioTime consists of:
Initial Assessment: A 40-minute evaluation with a GLA:D-trained physiotherapist to determine suitability, explain the program, and assess current functional ability. Some participants may require an additional session to tailor exercises before starting group sessions.
Education Sessions: Two one-hour sessions covering osteoarthritis, available treatments, the importance of exercise, how to stay active, and strategies to maintain progress after completing the program.
Exercise Sessions: 12 one-hour group neuromuscular exercise classes (ideally twice a week for six weeks) designed to enhance muscle control, strength, joint alignment, and function.
Follow-Up Reviews: A post-program review with your physiotherapist to discuss how to continue progress and a three-month follow-up assessment to evaluate functional improvements.
Progress Tracking: Participants complete questionnaires at the start, three months, and 12 months to monitor changes in pain, function, quality of life, and medication use.
Continuing Your Progress
Upon completing the program, you will have:
– A structured exercise plan to maintain joint strength and stability at home.
– The necessary equipment to continue your exercises independently.
– The knowledge to stay active while managing osteoarthritis effectively.
If home-based exercise isn’t suitable, we offer additional physiotherapist-led options:
– Continued participation in GLA:D® classes.
– Development of a personalized rehabilitation program using Pilates equipment.
– A customized gym workout plan.
– Hydrotherapy sessions.
Our Next Generation Clinic offers flexible scheduling with classes available during the day, evenings, early mornings, and Saturdays. Telehealth options are also available for those unable to attend in person.
GLA:D® Australia Registry
As well as providing high-quality osteoarthritis treatment, PhysioTime collaborates with LaTrobe University to collect research data from program participants. This de-identified data helps refine osteoarthritis care and improve access to effective treatments. Participants are asked to complete health and experience questionnaires at the start, three months, and 12 months into the program. Clinicians also conduct progression tests to track improvements.
By participating in GLA:D®, you not only take control of your osteoarthritis management but also contribute to ongoing research aimed at enhancing care for others.
For more information or to book your assessment, contact PhysioTime today.
Frequent Asked Questions?
In 2012 a clinical research team in Denmark designed a program, based on research, for people with hip or knee OA. GLA:D® – “Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark” – is a program of education and exercise designed to help reduce the symptoms of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis.
There are 12 supervised exercise sessions over 6 weeks, and 2 education sessions. Each session – education and exercise – will take about 60 minutes. These sessions are run by local clinicians who have been trained by PhysioTime.
As well as providing the treatment framework for osteoarthritis, PhysioTime collects research data from participants. This data is de-identified, which means that it can’t be used to identify participants. We ask you to complete questionnaires with information about your health and your experiences with osteoarthritis before you start, then at 3 months and again at 12 months. Your clinician will also undertake some progression tests. The PhysioTime team will use this information to work towards improving access to the best possible care for people with osteoarthritis.
GLA:D® has been shown to help people of all ages with mild, moderate and severe osteoarthritis by reducing pain, increasing mobility and enhancing quality of life. Often surgery such as joint replacement can be avoided.
Studies in Scandinavian countries have also shown that people who have completed the GLA:D® program before having a total knee joint replacement tend to recover more quickly. Similar ‘prehab’ results have been found for total hip replacement.
There are many reasons why GLA:D® and similar exercise programs can help reduce pain and improve mobility, because exercise affects a person in a variety of ways: from improving bone and muscle strength to elevating mood. Exercise itself is a recognised treatment for some chronic health conditions and reduces the risk of many others.
The exercises done in GLA:D® target joint stability, muscle strength and confidence with movement.
The team at PhysioTime provides training to clinicians (physiotherapists and exercise physiologists) across Australia who choose to participate. You will have an assessment with your clinician and make an appropriate treatment plan. If that plan includes GLA:D®, your clinician will arrange to register you to do the program, and will either provide the program to you or help you to select a GLA:D® clinician. If you have an area that you visit from time to time, you could look at attending a clinic in that area for an assessment and complete the program via telehealth. People are experiencing the same outcomes this way.
The GLA:D® education sessions are an opportunity for the clinician to tell you about the latest research evidence and for you to ask questions and discuss it with the clinician and other participants.
The GLA:D® exercises are a set of 10 exercises, plus warm-up and cool-down, aimed at improving the strength and function around your hips and knees. Sessions are run in small groups of around four to six people. In each session, the same exercises are done by each person at the level appropriate for them. The clinicians who run GLA:D® programs have been trained to customise the program to suit the individual: YOU.
Whenever you do new exercise, it’s normal and acceptable to have very mild pain during and after the session for up to 24 hours – and maybe a bit longer at first. Your clinician will help you learn how to monitor your pain so that you can challenge yourself without making your pain worse in the long run.
The cost to do GLA:D® is just like doing any other allied health treatment: it depends on your individual circumstances and the clinic you attend. You may be able to use private health insurance**. Eligible participants may be able to use Medicare funding to cover costs of assessments and some people may be eligible to access publicly-funded services. Clinics will differ in how they are able to offer the sessions, and what is included in the fees. If you are paying privately, it’s likely that the full program of 2 education sessions and 12 exercise sessions will cost between $400-800.
Your clinician will make an appointment to review your goals and progress 3 months after you are registered. This usually gives enough time for you to complete the program and start exploring what to do next. You may decide to work towards getting into a gym-based program, or heading back to running, or simply finding ways to increase your level of physical activity throughout the week.
The exercises and strategies you learn in GLA:D® are also easily able to be continued by you at home. Most importantly, they are a tool for you to use whenever you feel you need to – for example, if something happens to reduce your level of activity, or if your pain increases. Some people will go back to doing their GLA:D® program after recovering from surgery.
Speak to your clinician, or email the PhysioTime Team on info@physiotime.com.au