Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.
Although osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in the hands, knees, hips and spine.
Hip and Knee OA can make common functional activities difficult such as standing from a chair, going up or down stairs, walking for a long time, gardening, running, or sporting or leisure activities.
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed by combination of a clinical examination by a trained practitioner, your risk factors, and your current symptoms. Routine Scans (X-rays and MRIs) are not recommended for those with OA. Additionally, it is common to experience symptoms for some years before OA shows up on an X-Ray.
Land based exercise is strongly recommended for the management of hip and knee OA by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Exercise has strong research evidence to support it as a treatment for OA compared to other available treatments, but it needs be the right exercise performed at the right intensity and dosage (this varies from person to person).
Additionally, better understanding of OA and the treatments available will make a difference in what you do to manage your condition. Education is a vital component of arthritis management and is incorporated into the GLA:D program.
Weight management can be very beneficial as part of hip and knee OA management. The knee joint is loaded with multiple times your body weight with each step during normal walking. Even a small reduction in weight is extremely beneficial on reducing the amount of load on the joint.
In line with these recommendations for the treatment for hip and knee OA, North Balwyn Physiotherapy Clinic is excited to offer the GLA:D program, starting in November 2023.
Good life with osteoarthritis from Denmark (GLA:D) is a structured and evidence-based program aimed to improve pain, function, and life quality for those living with hip and knee OA. GLA:D® Australia is a program for all individuals who experience any hip and/or knee pain or symptoms of OA, regardless of severity.
The GLA:D® Australia program consists of:
- An initial appointment to explain the program and measure your current functional ability
- Two education sessions which teach you about OA, its risk factors, treatment options, and self-management strategies.
- Group exercise sessions twice a week for six weeks to improve your control of the joint, your confidence in the joint and your strength
- A review at 3-months with your clinician to discuss progress and goals, and re-measure your functional ability
- Completion of a questionnaire on registration with the program, and then again at 3 and 12 months after registration to measure changes in areas such as pain, function, quality of life, and medication use.
If you would like to find out more about this GLA:D program, or to enroll, you can reach us at 03 9859 5585, or email us at info@northbalwynphysio.com.au