08/20/2026
The GLA:D (Good Living with osteoArthritis in Denmark program) is an internationally recognized program aimed at helping individuals living with hip and/or knee OA improve their quality of life, decrease pain, and manage their OA conservatively.
ETO is proud to offer group GLA:D programs. Book an appointment at our Danforth clinic to learn more and enroll in an upcoming session!
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease where cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber and protects our bones, decreases over time through normal wear and tear on the body. This results in “bone on bone” movement which can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Often, individuals with OA are hesitant to exercise due to pain or fear that exercise will cause more damage. However, first line treatment for OA is actually education, exercise, and weight management!
Education — Learning about OA, the benefits of exercise and weight management, and other tools for living with OA is key to feeling confident and improving quality of life.
Exercise — Strengthening muscles around joints helps muscles contract more effectively and improves joint stability and alignment, allowing us to move more efficiently and safely. Exercise also encourages movement of synovial fluid in the joint, and helps to decrease inflammation.
Weight management — Simply put, increased weight results in increased load through joints, and without our natural shock absorbers (cartilage), this results in more wear on the bones. Therefore, if indicated, weight loss can assist with increasing function and decreasing pain. For example, studies have shown that for every 1lb of weight lost, there is a decrease in 4lbs of pressure in the knees. So, if we lose 10lbs, that means our knees experiences 40lbs less of pressure!
