2018-OACAO-Spring-Newsletter-Web

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How can I manage my hip or knee arthritis: GLA:D®
Osteoarthritis (OA) in the hip and knee leads to pain and disability for people across the world with about 10% of
men and 18% of women over 60 years having symptoms. Currently, in Canada, more than 4.6 million people are
living with OA and this will rise to more than 10 million (or one in four) within 30 years. By limiting a person’s
activity levels OA can reduce their productivity including their ability to work.
OA is a chronic disease and once it has developed individuals will need to use self-management strategies within
their everyday life to manage their symptoms. The research shows that one of the factors that can increase the
disease is reduced movement. So as much as the knee or hip hurts it is important to remain as active as possible.
This includes weight bearing activities which helps the fluid to move around the joint providing nutrition to the
damaged cartilage. But how do you remain physically active when the joint is painful?
GLAD® is an 8-week education and exercise program that has been developed specifically for people with hip and
knee OA. It is made up of 2 education sessions and 12 exercise sessions. The exercises address the muscle changes
that occur within the joint by increasing muscle activation and stability to prevent abnormal stresses. There are
4 exercise stations, that when used together, improve muscle awareness and muscles patterning in everyday life
– specifically going up and down steps, standing and sitting. After the program, the individual has the ability to
activate the correct muscle groups when undertaking their
normal daily activities. In a research program in Canada, this
approach reduced pain and increased physical activity for
individuals by 40% which was sustained at 3 months.
GLAD® has been shown to benefit people who are
experiencing symptoms through all stages of hip and knee
OA, including helping those individuals who are waiting for
joint replacement surgery. However, 85 – 90% of people
with OA have symptoms and never see a surgeon. GLA:D®
helps these individuals remain active therefore benefiting
their overall health and reducing the risk of other chronic
diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The
program is available in rehabilitation clinics and wellness
centres and is designed as a group program so as to build
camaraderie and to ensure that the program is affordable.
C A N A D A
The GLA:D Canada program has now been launched in many provinces across Canada. Locations can be found
on the web site at www.gladcanada.ca.
Questions about the GLA:DCanada program can be directed to gladcanada.info@gmail.com