GLA:D® Program Beaumaris | Hip & Knee Osteoarthritis Exercise

What Is the GLA:D® Program?

GLA:D® stands for Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark. The program was originally developed by researchers in Denmark specifically for people with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

GLA:D® combines education about osteoarthritis with supervised exercise designed to improve strength, function and confidence with movement.

The program provides you with practical strategies and exercises that can also be incorporated into your everyday life to help you remain active and manage your osteoarthritis over the longer term.

Who Is the GLA:D® Program For?

GLA:D® is designed for people experiencing symptoms associated with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

You may benefit from an assessment for the GLA:D® program if you experience:

• Knee osteoarthritis
• Hip osteoarthritis
• Knee pain or stiffness associated with osteoarthritis
• Hip pain or stiffness associated with osteoarthritis
• Difficulty with walking, stairs or everyday activities
• Reduced strength or confidence using your hip or knee
• Difficulty remaining physically active because of osteoarthritis
• Concerns about how to exercise safely with arthritis

You do not necessarily need an X-ray before participating. Your suitability for the program can be assessed before you commence.

What Does the GLA:D® Program Involve?

The GLA:D® program combines education with supervised exercise.

The program includes:

• An initial assessment
• Two education sessions
• 12 supervised exercise sessions
• Exercise sessions typically completed twice per week over six weeks
• Individualised exercise progression
• Assessment of your physical function
• Education about osteoarthritis, exercise and self-management

Although exercises are performed in a supervised setting, they can be adjusted to suit your individual ability and progressively challenged as you improve.

What Exercises Do You Do in GLA:D®?

The GLA:D® program uses neuromuscular exercises designed to improve the strength and function of your hips and knees.

Exercises can involve areas such as:

• Hip strengthening
• Knee strengthening
• Functional exercises
• Lunges and lower-limb control
• Trunk strength
• Balance and movement control
• Everyday functional movements

Exercises are adapted to your individual ability and progressed as appropriate.

At Beaumaris Physio & Health, our rehabilitation facilities also include Pilates Reformers, Trapeze Tables, Ladder Barrels, free weights and squat racks, providing options for your ongoing exercise and strength rehabilitation beyond completion of the GLA:D® program.

Can Exercise Help Knee or Hip Osteoarthritis?

Exercise and education are important components of recommended care for people with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

A common concern is that exercise may cause further damage to an arthritic joint. However, appropriate exercise can be an important part of improving strength, physical function and confidence with movement.

The GLA:D® program provides a structured and supervised way to exercise while learning how to better understand and manage osteoarthritis.

The aim is not simply to provide temporary symptom relief, but to give you the knowledge and exercise strategies to remain active and manage your condition over the longer term.

Do I Need a Knee or Hip Replacement if I Have Osteoarthritis?

Having osteoarthritis does not automatically mean that you will require a joint replacement.

Management options depend on your symptoms, function, goals and individual circumstances.

Exercise, education, maintaining physical activity and other non-surgical management strategies are commonly used in the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis.

For people who may eventually require surgery, improving strength, function and general physical capacity can still be valuable.

Your physiotherapist can assess your current function and help you determine an appropriate management plan.

GLA:D® for Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness and difficulty with activities such as walking, stairs, squatting, exercise and sport.

The GLA:D® program provides structured education and supervised exercise specifically designed for people with knee osteoarthritis.

Your exercises are adapted to your individual abilities and progressively challenged with the aim of improving strength, function and confidence with movement.

GLA:D® for Hip Osteoarthritis

Hip osteoarthritis may cause pain, stiffness and difficulty with activities such as walking, getting up from a chair, stairs, exercise and everyday activities.

The GLA:D® program combines education with supervised exercises designed to improve strength and function around the hip and lower limb.

Your program is adjusted according to your ability and progressed throughout the program.

GLA:D® Program in Beaumaris & Bayside Melbourne

Beaumaris Physio & Health provides the GLA:D® hip and knee osteoarthritis program from our clinic in Beaumaris.

The program combines osteoarthritis education with supervised and individualised exercise to help you improve your strength, function and confidence in managing your condition.

We see people from Beaumaris and surrounding Bayside Melbourne suburbs, including Black Rock, Sandringham, Highett, Cheltenham and Mentone.

If hip or knee osteoarthritis is limiting your walking, exercise or everyday activities, an initial assessment can determine whether the GLA:D® program is appropriate for you.