Osteoarthritis Program
Are you living with osteoarthritis pain in your knees or hips?
Would you like to get back to doing more of what you enjoy?
Astute is offering eligible members (through the underwriter St Lukes) living with hip or knee osteoarthritis help to reduce your pain levels and improve your ability to undertake and enjoy everyday activities.
What does the program involve?
The program includes 15 weeks of face-to-face training plus 4 weeks of independent training and is delivered by Kieser. Kieser is an allied health-led network of exercise scientists, physiologists, and physiotherapists.
The Kieser Osteoarthritis Program is designed to;
- reduce pain and associated symptoms
- prevent or delay hip joint replacement surgery
- improve your ability to undertake everyday activities
- provide a long-term plan to help self-manage hip osteoarthritis
To get started please read on to see if you are eligible for participation in the program.
View the Kieser Hip Osteoarthritis Program brochure.
View the Kieser Knee Osteoarthritis Program brochure.
For medical practitioners, view the information brochure.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if:
- You have been an Astute Simplicity Health member for 12 months or longer;
- You currently hold Astute Simplicity Health Hospital cover that includes hip/knee joint replacement;
- Your membership payments are up to date; and
- You have not participated in aAstute Simplicity Health (through the underwriter St Lukes) funded Kieser Program in the last 36 months.
You may qualify for the program if:
- Your GP or medical specialist has identified you as being at risk of requiring a hip or knee joint replacement surgery within the next three years, and you do not currently have surgery booked or planned.
- You have experienced moderate to severe hip or knee osteoarthritis pain (rated 4/10 or higher) for at least the past month.
- You have diagnostic imaging that confirms hip or knee osteoarthritis.
- Your doctor believes the program could significantly delay or potentially prevent the need for surgery and provides a referral confirming your eligibility.
Read more about full eligibility criteria below.
Frequently asked questions
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You may be eligible for the Astute Simplicity Health (through the underwriter St Lukes) hip or knee Osteoarthritis pilot program (The Program) if you meet the below inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Inclusion Criteria
The clinical inclusion criteria for the program, to be confirmed by a Medical Practitioner in a referral letter, are specified as the following:
a) You have a primary diagnosis of hip or knee Osteoarthritis;
b) You have experienced pain at a level of 4/10 or higher over the last month ;
c) You Considered a candidate for hip or knee Osteoarthritis surgery in the next 3 years, by a Medical Practitioner; and,
d) The absence of any exclusion criteria.
Additional St Lukes inclusion criteria are specified as the following:
a) To be eligible, you must:
i. Have been an Astute Simplicity Health member for 12 months or longer;
ii. You currently hold Astute Simplicity Health cover that includes the Joint Replacement clinical category;
iii. Your membership payments are up to date;
iv. You have served all hospital waiting periods for the Joint Replacement clinical category;
v. You can commit to the full program and attend the scheduled sessions at the scheduled location and times.
Exclusion Criteria
You may be excluded from The Program if:
a) You have any contraindications to strength training, including significantly reduced mobility or deconditioning;
b) You have any condition which the assessing physiotherapist deems likely to lead to poor compliance, exercise adherence, or an inability to exercise at the required intensity in the program. This may include, but not limited to:
i. A diagnosis of a chronic pain condition or syndrome
ii. Co-morbidities or co-existing conditions
iii. Other contraindications to strength testing or strength training
c) You have hip or knee joint replacement surgery scheduled within 6 months of presentation for The Program and are unwilling to postpone or cancel it;
d) You are a previous or current member of Kieser Australia or held a membership within the last 12 months;
e) You have had paid claims towards an approved Kieser gym membership under the Health Management Program included in your Extras cover with Astute Simplicity Health within the last 12 months.
f) You have previously participated in an Astute Simplicity Health (through the underwriter St Lukes) funded Kieser Osteoarthritis Program in the last 36 months
Want to find out more?
Call today on 1300 090 960