osteoarthritis at Allsports Physio

Image of bone affected by osetoporosisLive a ‘Good Life with Arthritis: Denmark’

The GLA:D® program (Good Life with Arthritis: Denmark) is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms.

Involving 12 exercise and 2 education sessions over a 3-month period, GLA:D® has been shown to result in significant reductions in pain, improvements in function and levels of physical activity, reductions in sick leave and use of pain medication. It’s no wonder that those who complete GLA:D® report high satisfaction with the program!

Knee and hip arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common condition, more common than high blood pressure and diabetes. Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of physical inactivity in people aged over 65 and is a condition that can affect any joint in the body, although it most frequently affects the hands, fingers, knees and hips.

Symptoms can develop slowly and over time, where you may have reduced joint range or mobility, pain at rest or pain with movement or weight-bearing activities. The affected joint might feel stiff or feel like it is going to give way.

Whilst some risk factors for OA cannot be modified, such as age, gender and hereditary factors, other risk factors such as overload from sport/work, obesity, physical inactivity, and thigh muscle weakness can certainly be addressed with targeted exercise and management, education and lifestyle modifications.

Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists at the Allsports group can discuss potential benefits and side effects of various treatment options available in line with clinical guidelines and best practice.

Some of the evidence-informed treatments may include:

  • advice and education regarding the condition and how to modify lifestyle factors, physical activity, and weight management if appropriate
  • strategies for pain relief
  • adjunctive aides such as braces, orthoses, walking aids
  • mobilisation/manual therapy
  • targeted and individualised exercise programs

GLA:D® is offered at Allsports Indooroopilly, The Gap, Kangaroo Point in Brisbane; Parkwood on the Gold Coast, Phyxme in Cairns, and at Performance Rehab Annerley.