GLA:D (Good Life with Arthritis) Australia: The Best First Treatment for knee and hip arthritis
GLA:D®, (or “Good Life with Arthritis: Denmark”), is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark that helps people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms have less pain and improve function – so they can do all the things they want to do!
Osteoarthritis (OA) Treatment in Australia
OA is the most common lifestyle disease in individuals 65 year of age and older, but can also affect individuals as young as 30 years of age.
Current national and international clinical guidelines recommend patient education, exercise and weight loss as first line treatment for osteoarthritis.
In Australia, treatment for OA usually focuses on surgery, HOWEVER the GLA:D Australia program offers a safer alternative that is well worth trying before exploring surgical options, and has shown excellent results both from a participants perspective AND research data.
What does GLA:D involve?
This education and exercise program reflects the latest evidence in osteoarthritis (OA) research. It also includes feedback from people with OA and physiotherapist’s on what works in the real world to help patients manage OA symptoms.
GLA:D Australia training consists of:
• A first appointment explaining the program and collecting data on your current functional ability
• Two education sessions which teach you about OA, how the GLA:D™ Australia exercises improve joint stability, and how to retain this improved joint stability outside of the program for long term results
• Group neuromuscular (brain-muscle) training sessions twice a week for six weeks to improve muscle control of the joint which leads to reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life
Traditionally, education and group exercise has been conducted in a face-to-face environment.
However we have transitioned the program to be totally online via Telehealth in the current covid19 environment.
Research has shown that education and exercise prescription via Telehealth for patients with knee osteoarthritis is as effective as face-to-face, with high patient satisfaction. Telehealth also has some great additional benefits in our current climate:
• Self-isolation status can be maintained
• Reduced social isolation as our education and exercise classes are still conducted in a group environment, so you can interact with peers and exchange knowledge and ideas (and just have fun exercising together!)
• The physio can see you doing your exercises in your own home, so they can check you are performing the exercises correctly within your own environment
• 1:1 initial and follow up appointments are completely bulk-billed (if referred under Telehealth EPC plan via GP)
Can I Participate in GLA:DTM Australia?
GLA:D™ Australia is a program for all individuals who experience any hip and/or knee osteoarthritis symptoms, regardless of severity.
The physio can prescribe the correct exercises at the right dosage to ensure your pain and function improves over time, not worsens.
We recommend you participate in the GLA:D™ Australia program if you have a hip or knee joint problem that resulted in visiting a health care provider.
You may not be able to participate in the GLA:D™ Australia program if:
• You have other reasons for your hip and/or knee pain, including; tumor, inflammatory joint disease, result of hip fracture, soft tissue or connective tissue problems
• You have other symptoms that are more pronounced than the osteoarthritis problems (for example chronic generalized pain or fibromyalgia)
• You are unable to understand and communicate in English
Background of the GLA:D® Program
Research from the GLA:D® program in Denmark found symptom progression reduces by 32%.
Other outcomes include:
- less pain,
- reduced use of joint related pain killers,
- and less people on sick leave.
- GLA:D® participants also reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and increased levels of physical activity 12 months after starting the program.
This program is unique in that the education and exercises provided can be applied to everyday activities. By strengthening and correcting daily movement patterns, participants will train their bodies to move properly, prevent symptom progression and reduce pain.
For more information regarding Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health GLAD program, call Sam McLaren (Physiotherapist) at the clinic on (07) 5500 6470 or email sammclaren@mygcphysio.com.au
