GLAD program for Osteoarthritis
Don’t let osteoarthritis slow you down. Our physiotherapy-led GLAD program provides evidence-based treatment to reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life.
Osteoarthritis is a progressive and often painful joint condition that can limit your ability to walk, bend, and perform everyday activities. Without appropriate treatment, symptoms can worsen over time and significantly impact your lifestyle.
At St Leonards Physiotherapy, we offer specialist physio for osteoarthritis through the internationally recognised GLAD Program — designed specifically to help people manage hip and knee osteoarthritis without the need for surgery.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and results from the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints. It often affects the hips, knees, hands, and spine. As the protective cartilage wears away, joints become stiff, painful, and inflamed, leading to decreased mobility and function.
The good news? With the right treatment for osteoarthritis, you can significantly reduce symptoms and improve joint health – and that’s where the GLAD program comes in.
What is the GLAD Program?
GLAD (Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark) is an evidence-based education and exercise program for people living with hip or knee osteoarthritis. It has been proven to reduce pain, improve function, and reduce the need for surgery.
At St Leonards Physiotherapy, our GLAD program for osteoarthritis begins with an initial consultation to assess your condition, goals, and physical capacity. This allows our experienced team to tailor your program to your individual needs.
Your 10-week GLAD journey includes:
- A one-on-one physiotherapy assessment
- One week of education sessions to understand osteoarthritis and how to manage it effectively
- Eight weeks of supervised group exercise classes (twice weekly) with 4–6 participants per group
- Baseline testing and progress reviews at 3 months and 12 months
Find out more about prices, timetables and our cancellation policy on our classes page.
*In term 4 of 2025, we will be trialling a new GLAD BACK program specifically for people suffering from chronic low back pain. You can read more about the program here, and to enrol, please contact our reception team.
Why Choose the GLAD Program for Osteoarthritis?
Research shows that physiotherapy for osteoarthritis, including strength-based exercise and education, can be more effective than medications, cortisone injections, and even surgery in many cases.
2020 GLAD Australia Outcomes (average participant age: 65, 71% women, average BMI: 29.9):
Reduced pain
33% less for knees, 27% less for hips
Reduced reliance on medication
49% less for knees, 45% less for hips
Improved walking speed
14% increase for knees, 12% increase for hips
Enhanced quality of life
29% increase for knees, 20% for hips
Reduced surgery intention
3 out of 4 participants changed their mind about having surgery
The Evidence Behind GLAD
The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for older adults. Yet only 13% of people with hip and knee osteoarthritis currently meet this target (Wallis et al., 2014).
Australia’s peak clinical bodies, including the Royal Australian College of GPs, strongly recommend:
Exercise, education, and weight management as first-line treatments for osteoarthritis
Against the use of opioids, arthroscopy, stem cell therapy, and viscosupplementation
Despite this, over 40,000 arthroscopies are still performed annually in Australia, even though the Australian Orthopaedic Association states they provide no benefit for osteoarthritis.
Looking for Help with Osteoarthritis?
If you want to avoid surgery, manage pain, and move more freely, the GLAD program at St Leonards Physiotherapy could be your answer. Let our team guide you with proven treatment for osteoarthritis and empower you to take control of your joint health.
Contact us today to find out more or to book your initial assessment.
