Managing hip & knee osteoarthritis with GLA:D®

WHAT IS IT? 

GLA:D®, short for Good Life with Osteoarthritis in Denmark, is an evidence‑based program developed by the Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy at the University of Southern Denmark. Launched in 2013, it aims to ensure all people with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) have access to guideline-based education and neuromuscular exercise, regardless of their location or financial means.  

The program includes: 

• Training physiotherapists to deliver the intervention 

• An initial consult  

• 2 x (60 minute) patient education sessions 

• 6 weeks of supervised exercise (2 per week)  

• A follow up consult after the program has concluded 

• Ongoing data collection through a national registry. 

Research shows that GLA:D significantly reduces pain and painkiller use, improves physical function and activity levels, enhances quality of life, and decreases sick leave and societal costs. 

Our experience is that clients enjoy exercising in a group with others going through the same thing, they support each other as well as being guided by the physio and there is always lots of laughter during and after the sessions. 

GLA:D in Australia 

Introduced in 2016, GLA:D Australia follows the same evidence-based design and has achieved strong outcomes: 

• Average knee pain reduction ~31%, hip ~28–36%; quality of life improved; less pain medication needed; reduced desire for surgery  

• One report notes 3 in 4 participants who initially wanted surgery no longer desired it 12 months later. 

WHO IS IT FOR? 

GLA:D helps individuals of all ages and severities of hip or knee osteoarthritis: 

• Reduces pain 

• Enhances mobility and physical confidence 

• Improves quality of life 

• Often delays or avoids the need for surgery 

• Evidence suggests better surgical recovery for those who completed GLA:D beforehand.  

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A SESSION? 

Education sessions provide: 

• The latest research on OA 

• Tools for self‑management 

• Encouragement to ask questions and dispel common misconceptions about OA and exercise.  

Exercise sessions include: 

• A warm-up, 10 tailored neuromuscular exercises (hip/knee strength, alignment, function), and a cool-down 

• Small group settings  

• Progressions matched to individual capacity, guided by GLA:D‑trained physiotherapists.  

It’s normal to experience mild pain (up to about 3/10) during or after sessions, particularly initially. Your physiotherapist helps you learn how to monitor this and prevent long-term pain increase. 

WHY IT WORKS

GLA:D aligns with clinical guidelines: combining education, supervised exercise, and self-management enables long-lasting behavior to change and functional improvements.  

PRICING

Depending on your level of cover, your private health insurer may fully subsidise the cost of the GLAD program. For more details on how much of your program could be covered, contact admin@feather‑stone.com.au. 

Chris Hedges (Featherstone Member)   

“I found the GLAD program very helpful, with mainly my knee problems. I like to try everything before going for the surgery option - that is a last resort option for me. So, I was very happy to try GLAD because the aim is to delay or negate the need for surgery for hips, knees and I think even ankles. The background info is very good because it’s a bit counterintuitive. Your knee hurts so you stop using it - when the opposite is more beneficial. I learnt that pushing through that pain (to a certain extent) actually helped reduce the pain and stiffness.  The exercises are basic, but I discovered that if you stick with them consistently, within just a few weeks your legs become noticeably stronger, knee pain eases, and the muscles even become more defined from the focused workout.”

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• GLA:D at Featherstone GLA:D (OA MANAGEMENT)

• What is GLA:D? https://gladaustralia.com.au/  

• Who can do GLA:D? https://gladaustralia.com.au/implementing-glad-into-practice/ 

• Useful links https://gladaustralia.com.au/useful-links/ 

REFERENCES

• Skou, S. T., & Roos, E. M. (2017). Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D™): Evidence-based education and supervised neuromuscular exercise delivered by certified physiotherapists nationwide. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 18(1), 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1439-y Region SjællandEurope PMC 

• Roos, E. M., Grønne, D. T., Skou, S. T., et al. (2021). Immediate outcomes following the GLA:D® program in Denmark, Canada and Australia: A longitudinal analysis including 28,370 patients with symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 29, 502–506. oarsijournal.comSAGE Journals 

• Barton, C. J., Kemp, J. L., Roos, E. M., et al. (2021). Program evaluation of GLA:D® Australia: Physiotherapist training outcomes and effectiveness of implementation for people with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open, 3, 100175. SAGE Journals 

• Edgecliff Physiotherapy. (n.d.). Research from the GLA:D® program in Australia shows an average pain reduction of 36%, reduced analgesic consumption, reduction in perceived need for surgery, and clinically meaningful improvement in joint confidence. Retrieved August 25, 2025, from Edgecliff Physiotherapy website. Edgecliff Physiotherapy 

• GLA:D Australia. (2023). GLA:D Annual Report 2023. GLA:D Australia. GLA:D AU 

• King, et al. (2024). Evidence that Good Life with Osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) — 8‑week education and exercise program: change in self‑reported difficulty walking in a registry-based cohort study. The Journal of Rheumatology, Advance online publication. jrheum.org+1