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How physiotherapy helps osteoarthritis
Pain and restricted movement are what make osteoarthritis difficult to live with, and they're exactly what physiotherapy aims to improve. Exercise therapy and education are first-line care for hip and knee osteoarthritis in Australian clinical guidelines, ahead of surgery and long-term medication. A physiotherapy program aims to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, build muscle strength around the affected joints, and delay or avoid joint replacement surgery.
We use proven methods to help ease your pain and improve your mobility quickly. While physiotherapy doesn't cure osteoarthritis or reverse joint cartilage changes, it does play a part in keeping you strong and mobile. This, in turn, helps you remain active and independent for a longer time.
If your condition calls for further investigation through imaging, medication, injections, or specialist advice, your physiotherapist will guide you to consult your GP or a specialist.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones gradually breaks down. When the cartilage erodes, the bones begin to rub against each other, resulting in pain, inflammation, stiffness, and lack of mobility.
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition that gradually gets worse. This condition frequently impacts the knees and hips, but it can also affect the spine and the small joints in the hands. Osteoarthritis affects more than just the cartilage. The surrounding muscles also play an important role, which is why they form part of your assessment. Physiotherapy focuses on strengthening these muscles in order to support joint function.
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CATEGORIES
Primary vs secondary osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis falls into primary and secondary categories. Primary osteoarthritis tends to develop without a specific cause, and it is often associated with aging and genetic factors. When people mention wear-and-tear arthritis, they are usually referring to this type. Secondary osteoarthritis results from another condition or event that leads to cartilage deterioration. That could include past joint injuries, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, or congenital joint defects. Identifying whether you have primary or secondary osteoarthritis is the first step in your treatment, as managing secondary osteoarthritis often involves addressing an underlying condition as well as the joint issues.
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of osteoarthritis
Pain is the most common symptom, either a dull ache or a sharp pain when moving. Stiffness is also common, usually worse when you wake up in the morning. Other symptoms include:
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limited movement
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swelling
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sensitivity near the joints
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a crackling or grinding sensation
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muscle weakness
These symptoms tend to develop gradually and often become more noticeable during everyday activities, such as climbing stairs, getting up from a chair or walking longer distances. If your symptoms are getting worse, book an assessment.
Knee and hip osteoarthritis
Your knees and hips are load bearing joints. They carry your body weight with every step, so osteoarthritis in these joints is what most often makes walking and stairs harder and chips away at your independence. Both respond well to physiotherapy, and care is tailored to the joint and to you.
Knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis responds to strength training around the joint, particularly the quadriceps at the front of the thigh and the glutes. Stronger muscles take the load off the joint and improve knee stability. If knee pain is your main concern, our knee pain treatment page covers it in more detail.
Hip osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis responds well to specific strengthening and mobilisation exercises that keep the joint moving and supported. Hip osteoarthritis can be treated with Clinical Pilates, and our article on Clinical Pilates for hip pain explains how it helps.
Osteoarthritis treatment at Eastside Physio + Co
We start with a detailed assessment, during which we get an understanding of your goals. Your physiotherapist looks at how your joints move, where your pain sits, what limits you and what you want to get back to.
You are assessed by one of our physiotherapists, and we build an exercise-based program around your joints and your goals. If getting to the clinic is hard, we can come to you with mobile physio in your home. If your osteoarthritis needs imaging or a specialist opinion, we refer you back to your GP. MLS laser therapy is available as an added option for pain relief alongside your program.
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Exercise therapy and strength training
Osteoarthritis care begins with strengthening the muscles that support your joints. As your muscles become stronger, they absorb more of the load, reducing the stress placed on the joint. Your program also emphasises keeping the joint flexible with mobility exercises while gradually increasing the workload to avoid any sudden flare-ups. You'll receive a set of exercises to practice at home between sessions, which is important for maintaining your progress.
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Manual therapy and hands-on techniques
Your physiotherapist will use massage and gentle joint movements to provide relief. These techniques help to ease pain and stiffness, making it more comfortable to move and exercise. Manual therapy complements your exercise routine rather than replacing it. While the immediate benefits come from these hands-on methods, real and lasting improvement arises from the strength you develop through consistent exercise.
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Education and self-management
Education is part of every osteoarthritis program, because understanding your condition makes it easier to manage. Your physiotherapist will explain what is happening in the joint and what will help, so you can make good decisions day to day. This covers how to pace your activity and stay active without overdoing it, along with advice on weight and lifestyle where it is relevant. If they're likely to help, we may also recommend braces, orthotics, splints or a walking aid.
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Group classes for strength and balance
Our Clinical Pilates classes are the supervised route for building osteoarthritis strength, run at our Surrey Hills clinic. If you are 75 or older, or unsteady on your feet, our Seniors Strength and Balance class is a group class that works on exactly that. It suits many older clients living with osteoarthritis.
Prefer to start in a class? See our Clinical Pilates classes and Seniors Strength + Balance classes, or browse the full class timetable.
Fees, Medicare and funding for osteoarthritis physiotherapy
No referral is needed to book a private appointment and your fees are confirmed when you book.
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The Medicare rebate is separate and has its own conditions. To claim it you need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP), previously called a CDM or EPC plan. Legacy plans stay valid until 30 June 2027. You also need a written referral signed by your GP. Both come from your GP, not from us. To lodge the claim, we need a copy of that signed referral and your Medicare number.
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Bulk billing is available for eligible patients under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. Eligibility is confirmed when you book.
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The rebate is currently $63.40 per session (MBS item 10960). A plan covers up to 5 sessions per calendar year, and those sessions are shared across all the allied health services on your plan, not physiotherapy alone.
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With private health cover that includes extras, you can claim on the spot. We also accept NDIS, WorkCover, TAC and Home Care patients, so let reception know at booking. Our new patient information and fee schedule pages have more, and our NDIS physiotherapy page covers that funding.
Clinic information
Eastside Physio + Co has treated Melbourne's eastern suburbs from our Surrey Hills clinic since 2017, with more than 6,300 clients.
Address: 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3127
Phone: (03) 9836 1333
Email: info@esphysio.com.au
Referral: none needed to book. Medicare rebates need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Private health: claim on the spot via HICAPS, all major insurers.
WorkCover, TAC and NDIS clients welcome.
Parking: there are three onsite parking bays at the front of the building and two at the rear. Additional street parking is available on Canterbury Road and the adjoining streets.
Book an osteoarthritis assessment in Melbourne's eastern suburbs
Ready to start? Book an osteoarthritis assessment online, or call us on (03) 9836 1333. Our clinic is at 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills, and we see clients from across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. If you would rather ask a question first, contact us and we will help you work out the right next step.