What is the GLA:D Program?

GLA:D™ Canada is an 8-week education and exercise program designed for individuals with Osteoarthritis in the knees, hips, or the back. Research from GLAD® in Denmark has shown that participants report less pain, reduced reliance on painkillers, fewer people on sick leave, and increased physical activity.

The GLA:D® program is an education and exercise initiative designed to help individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) manage symptoms such as pain and functional loss. Based on the latest OA research and developed with input from both OA patients and healthcare professionals, the program provides an evidence-based approach that delivers real-world results for those with mild to severe symptoms. To determine if the GLA:D® program is right for you, a healthcare practitioner will conduct an assessment, including a physical evaluation and functional tests.

 

 

FIND OUT MORE

GLA:D Canada

3 Components
filter_1

Education Sessions

Participants in GLA:D™ Canada will attend 2 or 3 educational sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, where they will learn about: What osteoarthritis is, including risk factors and symptoms, treatment options for osteoarthritis & strategies for self-managing symptoms & how to handle.
looks_two

Neuromuscular Exercise Sessions

60-minute group exercise sessions, twice a week, for 6 weeks, guided by a certified therapist. In this program, you will learn how to control your movements and maintain proper posture, build muscular strength through functional exercises, & how to incorporate these exercises into your daily activities
looks_3

Data Collection

The program measures how you’re doing at your first visit, 3 and 12 months after you have started the program. This information will help us monitor how the program is working for people with osteoarthritis all over Canada and ultimately will help us improve the program.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects the entire joint, particularly the articular cartilage, which becomes thin and fragile. It can result from prolonged heavy loads on healthy cartilage or from cartilage that can’t handle normal stress. OA is the leading cause of mobility issues and disability in older adults, though it also affects younger individuals, especially those with previous joint injuries. Around 5% of people aged 35-54 and 30% of those aged 50-70 experience OA. It occurs when cartilage degeneration outpaces its regeneration, leading to thinning and eventual bone-on-bone contact.

Hip Osteoarthritis

Symptoms may include:

  • Pain is often felt on the outside of the hip or deep in the groin (where the hip joint is located), or on the inside or outside of the thigh, or down the leg. In some cases, there may be no hip pain at all, with the discomfort felt more in the thigh or knee area.
  • Hip osteoarthritis often results in limited joint movement, making everyday activities like getting in the car or putting on socks more difficult.
  • Your stride may shorten when walking, and it may become difficult to fully straighten your hips, causing you to lean forward while walking.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Symptoms may include:

  • Pain with weight-bearing
  • Stiffness or instability
  • Crunching or clicking sounds may occur, especially in the early stages of cartilage changes, and can be felt or heard when bending and straightening the knee. These symptoms can make it difficult to climb stairs, walk uphill, sit on your knees, squat, or get up from a seated position.
  • When the knee joint undergoes significant degeneration due to OA, it can lead to deformities like "knock-knees" or "bow-legged" appearance.

Back Osteoarthritis

Symptoms may include:

Symptoms typically develop gradually and worsen over time. Pain and stiffness are often worst when you first wake up or after sitting for long periods, and can also intensify after 'too much' physical activity.

  • Stiffness and loss of flexibility: Turning your back or straightening your back may become difficult.
  • Pain: The lower back is the most common spinal area affected.
  • Crepitus: You might experience a grinding or popping sensation when moving.
  • Tenderness and swelling: The back around the affected joints may feel sore to the touch.

 

GLA:D Canada

The Leader in Osteoarthritis Research

According to the 2022 GLA:D Canada annual report, it was found that:

  • The majority of participants experienced pain relief, with 55.8% of those with hip issues and 58.3% of those with knee issues showing improvement
  • 51% of participants with hip issues and 56.4% of those with knee issues reported improved function.
  • 57.6% of participants with hip issues and 64.4% of those with knee issues reported an improvement in their quality of life.

These results demonstrate that the GLAD™ Canada program is effectively helping individuals with hip and knee OA manage their symptoms, enhance their function and quality of life, and boost their physical activity.

LEARN MORE