Learning About OA

Learn about hip and knee OA

Patients who have been through the GLA:D program have learned many things about how to manage osteoarthritis (OA) and maintain their quality of life including:

• What is Osteoarthritis
• Benefits of Staying Physically Active
• Importance of Weight Management
• Relationship to Pain

There are millions of people in Canada who have osteoarthritis and who have not been diagnosed or offered access to effective treatments. GLA:D patients are therefore working closely with us to develop a coordinated strategy to provide education on OA to encourage people to seek the care they need and to provide hope. This information will include how to access:

• A diagnosis
• Education on how to self-manage their condition
• Neuromuscular exercise to strengthen their muscles and use good movement patterns that reduce symptoms
• Other effective treatments that help with them remain physically active

Education sessions

We are hosting monthly education sessions for individuals who have symptoms of hip and knee OA. There are 2 repeat sessions of 45 mins which are held virtually at 11 EST on Wednesdays each month. The sessions are provided at no cost and cover:

• Session 1: Pathology, diagnosis and introduction of first line treatments to remain physically active
• Session 2: Exercise types, second line treatments and surgery

These sessions are hosted in small groups with a clinician providing clinical information and a GLA:D patient who is available to provide their experience with OA including how changing movement patterns has helped them remain physically active. In the sessions individuals are encouraged to ask questions so they can better understand their options for diagnosis and management.

To register for the sessions, please go to the registration page.

How Can You Help?

There are a number of ways you can help us to share information and improve the lives for people with hip and/or knee OA. All you need to do is contact us through LearnaboutOA@gmail.com and we will work with you to disseminate the message through:

• Share information
  • Written materials – Materials with evidence-based message about OA are available. We can provide you with flyers and pamphlets that can be shared with family, friends, colleagues and to community organizations such as members of clubs or organizations.
  • Meetings and presentations – We are available for meetings and to complete virtual presentations to groups that would be interested (e.g., church groups, your workplace, professional organizations, retirement groups, clubs etc.). The presentation would be completed by a clinician, to present the evidence and answer questions, and a patient who can share their experience with OA.
• Donations – By donating to the GLA:D program through the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, a registered charitable organization, you will help us provide evidence-based research and information on OA and the GLA:D program to individuals who currently do not have access to resources or programs due to their geographic location or socio-demographics. Click here to donate. Choose “Most Needed”, and enter “GLA:D” in the Add a Comment field.

To learn more about the strategy and help us to help people “learn about OA” contact us at LearnaboutOA@gmail.com