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GLA:D Programme for Arthritis

An education and exercise programme for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

What is GLA:D?

GLA:D® (Good Life with osteoArthritis: Demark) is an innovative education and exercise program for individuals suffering from symptomatic hip and knee osteoarthritis. This progamme is currently being offered at Bend + Mend | Martin Place.

Founded in Denmark in 2013, the GLAD program aims to bridge the gap between osteoarthritic clinical guidelines and clinical practice.

GLA:D® uses education and exercise to help with daily activities. You will work on strengthening your body, as well as learning to move correctly and manage symptoms to improve pain.

The GLA:D® Australia programme 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 physiotherapist 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.

FAQs for People with OA – GLA:D AU (gladaustralia.com.au)

Who is GLA:D appropriate for?

GLA:D at Bend + Mend | Physio + Pilates is recommended for anyone who suffers from knee or hip osteoarthritis regardless of age, disease severity, pain, functional limitations or whether they have had previous joint surgeries.

The six-week intensive program includes twelve exercise sessions which are all led by our Physio trained in the GLA:D programme (two sessions per week).

The programme reflects the latest evidence in osteoarthritis (OA) research. It also includes feedback from people with OA and trainers on what works in the real world to help patients manage OA symptoms regardless of severity.

At 12 months GLA:D (2020) participants showed:

  • 31% decrease in knee pain and 30% decrease in hip pain.
  • >50% reduction in medication intake for the knee and hip.
  • >30% increase in quality of life for the knee and hip.

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