Will a structured rehabilitation program reduce pain in my hip or knee osteoarthritis?

Structured rehabilitation programs are a first-line treatment for hip or knee osteoarthritis. These programs combine education and exercise to help manage pain and improve function. Research shows that such programs can lead to meaningful pain reduction for many people.

What the research says

A large Danish nationwide program called GLA:D (Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark) studied over 23,000 adults with hip or knee osteoarthritis who completed a structured rehabilitation program. At 3 months, 52% of patients reported a 30% or greater reduction in pain intensity ⁶. This program includes education and neuromuscular exercise, and a health technology assessment found that such programs are effective and cost-effective for managing osteoarthritis ¹¹.

A Cochrane review of adjunctive therapies added to land-based exercise therapy found that adding other treatments to exercise did not provide additional benefits for pain or function, suggesting that the exercise component itself is key ¹⁰. Another systematic review found that dextrose prolotherapy, an injection therapy, may be as effective as other treatments for osteoarthritis, but this is not a structured rehabilitation program ⁹.

Other sources discuss different treatments for knee osteoarthritis, such as acupuncture, cell therapies, or topical comfrey, but these are not structured rehabilitation programs ¹⁴⁷. The evidence specifically for structured rehabilitation is strongest from the GLA:D program and related reviews ⁶¹¹.

What to ask your doctor

• Is a structured rehabilitation program like GLA:D available in my area?
• How many sessions of exercise therapy are typically recommended for osteoarthritis?
• What types of exercises are safest and most effective for my hip or knee condition?
• Can I combine a rehabilitation program with my current pain management plan?
• How long before I might notice an improvement in pain and function?