GLAD for Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis
What is GLA:D?
Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark (GLA:D) is an emerging first line treatment for hip and knee osteoarthritis. It combines education and exercise to empower participants with knowledge and skills to manage pain and reduced function associated with osteoarthritis.
The program is six weeks of twice weekly one hour supervised exercise sessions and two education sessions designed at improving participants understanding of osteoarthritis.
Find out more about the GLA:D program at KRP.
GLAD for hip osteoarthritis.
How does the GLA:D program differ from other programs for osteoarthritis?
While most programs designed for people with osteoarthritis focus solely on exercise, GLA:D combines a unique approach. This includes learning about osteoarthritis as part of treatment and participating in special exercises to relieve pain and boost joint function. Exercise is supervised and progressed dependent on the individual.
Evidence behind GLA:D program:
Overwhelming evidence supports exercise in the management of osteoarthritis. Despite this many individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis have never participated in exercise or been recommended exercise.
In 2015, 591 community-dwelling Victorians with osteoarthritis (83% with knee and 17% with hip) were asked to participate in a survey. When asked about exercise participation, 18% said they participated in resistance exercise, 56% said they had never tried exercise. Of the 591 participants 6% reported participating in structured aerobic exercise while 78% had never tried it (Hinmen et al., 2015).
The GLA:D program shows promising statistics for increasing participation and improving individuals' knowledge of safe exercise.
Data collected from 2017 included 9,825 GLA:D participants, these statistics showed significant reductions in pain, consumption of analgesics, reduction in perceived need for surgery, reduced sick leave days and clinically meaningful improvements in joint confidence.
Following GLA:D 32% of participants increased their physical activity level at 3 months follow-up from initial assessment, 31% had increased their physical activity levels at the 12 month follow-up. With regards to sick leave, 24.3% were on a sick leave before GLA:D, while only 14.9% reporting on sick leave at their 12 months follow-up. When questioned on pain medication 58% took pain medication prior to GLA:D for pain associated with their hip or knee osteoarthritis, at their 3 month follow-up, 45% reported taking pain medication for knee/hip respectively. Following the completion of the GLA:D program 92% of the hip/knee patients were satisfied or very satisfied at 3 months follow-up and 95% were still using what they learned during GLA:D on a weekly basis after their 3 month follow-up (Skou & Roos, 2017).
Where does GLA:D fit in the overall therapy/treatment for osteoarthritis?
Current national and international clinical guidelines recommend education, exercise and weight loss as first line treatments for osteoarthritis. Currently 57% of Australians do not receive appropriate care when it comes to managing osteoarthritis. GLA:D is a safe first line treatment for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. It is important that you discuss GLA:D with your health care professional or general practitioner prior to considering other pharmacological interventions or surgery, as GLA:D offers a better and safer alternative.
The GLA:D Program here at Keilor Road Physiotherapy is taken by our expert physiotherapists who have had specialist training in GLA:D.
Speak with one of our expert physiotherapists to see if GLA:D is right for you.
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Article by
Jenny Hynes | Clinical Director
Sports & Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Jenny has over 20 years of experience in the treatment of the musculoskeletal conditions, holding a Masters degree in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and post graduate training in Osteopathy. She is a lecturer at Latrobe University and has specialized expertise in the management of low back, pelvic girdle and hip pain.
Jenny sat extensive examinations to be inducted as a fellow into the Australian College of Physiotherapy in 2009 and gain the title of Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, one of only a few physiotherapists in the state to have done so.