Planning a Hip or Knee Replacement in 2026? Get Surgery-Ready with the GLA:D® Program
If you’re considering hip or knee replacement surgery in 2026, one of the most powerful steps you can take now is prehabilitation (prehab) — preparing your body before surgery to strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and support a faster recovery. At Kaylana Wellness Collective in Hurstville, we highly recommend the GLA:D® (Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark) program as an evidence‑based prehab pathway for people living with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
What Is the GLA:D® Program?
The GLA:D® Australia program is an evidence-based, physiotherapy-led program run by specially trained physiotherapists.
It combines education and exercise to help people with hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) manage pain, improve joint function, and stay active with confidence. Supported by strong research, GLA:D® is recommended as a first-line treatment and is an effective option to start before considering surgery or as a prehab for surgery.
GLA:D® combines:
Physiotherapist‑guided education sessions about osteoarthritis and self‑management
Supervised neuromuscular exercise sessions tailored to your abilities
Strategies to enhance strength, mobility, joint confidence, and daily function
Why Prehab Matters Before Joint Replacement
Starting prehab months before your planned surgery gives your body a head start — improving muscle strength, joint control, and overall fitness so you:
Recover faster
Experience less pain after surgery
Regain mobility sooner
Improve your long‑term outcomes
Strong pre‑surgery function often predicts better post‑surgery progress — and GLA:D® helps build that foundation.
The Evidence: What GLA:D® Australia Data Shows
Multiple outcome reports from GLA:D® Australia demonstrate meaningful improvements for people with hip and knee OA — results that are highly relevant if you’re preparing for joint replacement or hoping to delay it:
✔ Pain Reduction
Participants report an average reduction in pain intensity of around 30–36% after completing the program
✔ Less Reliance on Pain Medication
Many participants reduce their need for analgesics, including NSAIDs and opioids, following GLA:D®.
✔ Improved Function and Confidence
Enhanced physical function — including strength, walking ability, and confidence with movement — helps you stay active and better prepared for surgery.
✔ Increased Quality of Life
Joint‑related quality of life scores improve significantly after participation, reflecting better daily mobility and reduced symptom burden.
✔ Reduced Perceived Need for Surgery
Remarkably, 3 in 4 participants who wanted surgery before starting the program reported that they no longer desired surgery at 12‑month follow‑up — illustrating GLA:D®’s capacity to change surgical expectations for many people.
These outcomes show that structured exercise and education — guided by a physiotherapist — can effectively reduce pain and improve function, even in people with moderate to severe symptoms.
Learn more about GLA:D® Australia here.
How GLA:D® Fits Into Your Prehab Prior To Hip or Knee Replacement
By starting GLA:D®‑informed prehab well before your surgery date, you can:
Build strength in key muscle groups around the hip and knee
Improve joint stability and mobility
Learn strategies for managing pain and daily activities
Increase overall fitness and confidence to support rehabilitation post‑surgery
A structured, progressive approach — like the one provided through GLA:D® — gives your body the best chance to adapt and be “surgery‑ready,” which can make your recovery journey smoother.
How We Support You as You Prepare for Surgery
At Kaylana Wellness Collective, we understand that preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery can feel overwhelming. That’s why our physiotherapists provide personalised support to make your prehab journey safe, effective, and confidence‑building. We offer:
Individual Assessments: Tailored to your specific joint, mobility, and strength needs
GLA:D®-Based Exercise Programs: Supervised, progressive exercises to strengthen key muscles and improve joint stability
Education & Guidance: Strategies for pain management, activity modification, and realistic recovery expectations
Ongoing Support: Regular check-ins to track progress and adjust exercises to meet your goals
Post-op care: Tailored to your unique needs, ensuring you recover as efficiently and safely as possible, and get back to the activities you love.
Our goal is to help you feel surgery‑ready, improve your function, and set you up for a smoother, faster recovery.
Take the First Step Towards a Stronger Recovery
Planning a hip or knee replacement or looking to improve joint health? Start GLA:D® prehab with our physiotherapists at Kaylana Wellness Collective in Hurstville to prepare your body, support recovery, and get back to the activities you love.