How the GLA:D Program Helps Knee & Hip Osteoarthritis
The GLA:D Program is an evidence-based exercise and education program that helps people with knee or hip osteoarthritis reduce pain, improve strength, and stay active.
If knee or hip osteoarthritis is making your everyday activities more difficult, you’re not alone. Pain, stiffness, and reduced confidence in movement can affect everything from walking and exercising to gardening and spending time with family.
Many people believe osteoarthritis is simply a part of getting older and that pain will continue to worsen over time. While osteoarthritis can’t be reversed, research shows that education and targeted exercise are among the most effective ways to reduce pain, improve movement, and help you stay active.
At Inner Strength Bayside, we offer the GLA:D Program to help you move better, feel stronger, and return to the activities you enjoy.
What Is the GLA:D Program?
GLA:D stands for Good Life with OsteoArthritis: Denmark. It is an internationally recognised program that combines education with supervised exercise to help people manage knee and hip osteoarthritis.
Unlike a general exercise class, the GLA:D Program has been specifically developed for people with osteoarthritis and is delivered by specially trained physiotherapists.
The program focuses on helping you:
- Reduce pain and stiffness
- Improve strength and joint stability
- Increase confidence in movement
- Learn how to manage your symptoms
- Stay active and independent
Whether your goal is walking further, returning to golf, enjoying longer walks on the beach, keeping up with your grandchildren, or simply moving with less pain, the program is tailored to help you achieve your goals.
What Does the Research Show?
The GLA:D Program is one of the world’s most researched education and exercise programs for people with knee and hip osteoarthritis. Research involving more than 28,000 participants across Australia, Denmark and Canada found that after completing the program, people experienced:
- 26–33% less pain
- 8–12% faster walking speed
- 18–30% improvement in their ability to stand up from a chair
- 12–26% improvement in osteoarthritis-related quality of life
- 43–47% of participants achieved a clinically meaningful reduction in pain.
Further research has shown that many of these improvements can be maintained for up to 12 months after completing the program, highlighting the long-term benefits of combining education with targeted exercise.
For people worried that surgery may be their only option, the results are also encouraging. Data from the Danish GLA:D registry found that many participants who had previously been considering surgery no longer felt they needed it after completing the GLA:D program, including 5 out of 6 people with hip osteoarthritis and 3 out of 4 people with knee osteoarthritis.
What Happens at Your GLA:D Assessment?
Your journey begins with a one-on-one assessment with one of our GLA:D physiotherapists.
During your assessment we will:
- Discuss your symptoms, lifestyle and goals
- Assess your strength, mobility and function
- Complete physical outcome measures
- Identify activities affected by pain
- Determine whether the GLA:D Program is right for you
We then create a personalised program designed around your goals and ability.
Who Is the GLA:D Program For?
You may benefit from the GLA:D Program if you:
- Have knee or hip osteoarthritis
- Experience ongoing pain or stiffness
- Have reduced your activity because of joint pain
- Want to improve your strength and mobility
- Are looking for an evidence-based treatment approach
Take the First Step Towards Stronger Joints
Living with osteoarthritis doesn’t mean giving up the activities you enjoy. With the right education, exercise and support, many people can successfully reduce pain, improve strength and continue living an active lifestyle.
If knee or hip osteoarthritis is affecting your daily life, our physiotherapists at Inner Strength Bayside are here to help. We can guide you through a personalised treatment plan designed to help you move with greater confidence.
Book your GLA:D Assessment today to find out how an evidence-based exercise and education program can help you move with greater confidence.
📞 Call (03) 8555 4099 or click here to book an appointment.
Written by Petra Ruhl, Physiotherapist at Inner Strength Bayside, with a special interest in osteoarthritis management and exercise rehabilitation.
References
- Roos EM, Grønne DT, Skou ST, et al. (2021). Immediate outcomes following the GLA:D® program in Denmark, Canada and Australia: A longitudinal analysis including 28,370 patients with symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 29(4), 502–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2020.12.024
- Barton CJ, Kemp JL, Roos EM, et al. (2022). The GLA:D® Australia program: Implementation of an evidence-based education and exercise program for knee and hip osteoarthritis and 12-month outcomes. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open, 4(1), 100266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocarto.2021.100266
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2022). Osteoarthritis in over 16s: Diagnosis and management (NG226). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226
- Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI). (2019). OARSI Guidelines for the Non-Surgical Management of Knee, Hip, and Polyarticular Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 27(11), 1578–1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2019.06.011
- GLA:D® Australia. Introduction to GLA:D® Australia. https://gladaustralia.com.au/introduction-to-glad-australia/
