Osteoarthritis Physio Sydney

Our osteoarthritis physio in Sydney provides expert, evidence-based treatment to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and restore strength. Whether you’re managing arthritis in your knees, hips, hands, or spine, our team delivers hands-on therapy, targeted exercise, and lifestyle advice to help you move with confidence.

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Book a Physio for Osteoarthritis

Our osteoarthritis physio services in Sydney are led by Jan Sargood (APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience), Kam Bhabra (former physiotherapist to Arsenal FC and PGA Tour athletes with deep expertise in sports and joint injuries), and Karen Westcott (Principal Physiotherapist skilled in biomechanics, spinal care, and Clinical Pilates).

They are supported by Niamh Davies, with a background in sports rehabilitation and post-operative management, and Angel Nang, Accredited Exercise Physiologist with special interests in chronic disease management, cancer rehabilitation, and strength-based conditioning for older adults.

You’ll find us at:

Opening Hours

  • Mon – Tue: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wed: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Thu: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Fri: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sat: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Sun: Closed
Kam with an osteoarthritis patient during an exercise

How Can Physio Help Osteoarthritis?

We provide tailored treatment across all major joints affected by osteoarthritis:

Knee Osteoarthritis

  • Symptoms: Pain with walking, climbing stairs, stiffness after sitting, swelling.
  • Causes: Age-related cartilage wear, repetitive loading, previous injury.
  • Treatment: Strengthening of quadriceps and glutes, manual therapy, hydrotherapy, education on activity pacing.
  • Recovery Timeline: Improvements often within 4–6 weeks, with continued gains over 3–6 months.

Hip Osteoarthritis

  • Symptoms: Groin or thigh pain, stiffness getting in/out of chairs, reduced walking distance.
  • Causes: Age-related degeneration, altered biomechanics, previous hip injuries.
  • Treatment: Targeted hip strengthening, manual mobilisation, gait retraining, Pilates-based stability work.
  • Recovery Timeline: Noticeable functional improvements within 6–8 weeks, with long-term management recommended.

Spinal Osteoarthritis (Facet Joint Arthritis)

  • Symptoms: Stiffness, pain with bending or twisting, occasional radiating pain.
  • Causes: Degenerative disc and joint changes, postural overload.
  • Treatment: Spinal mobility exercises, postural retraining, core strengthening, manual therapy.
  • Recovery Timeline: Pain relief often within 2–4 weeks, with ongoing improvements over 8–12 weeks.

Hand & Shoulder Osteoarthritis

  • Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced grip or overhead movement.
  • Causes: Repetitive strain, ageing changes, previous injury.
  • Treatment: Strengthening, joint mobilisation, hand therapy, exercise to maintain mobility.
  • Recovery Timeline: Symptom relief within 4–6 weeks; long-term strengthening required.

Osteoarthritis Physio Appointment Pricing

Initial Consultation: $160

Review Assessment and Consultation: $155

Standard Consultation: $125

Please note: A cancellation fee of $83 applies for cancellations within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment. Private health rebate applicable.

Ongoing Rehab & Exercise Classes for Osteoarthritis

In addition to one-on-one physiotherapy, Lilyfield Physio offers group rehab and exercise classes designed to support your long-term health. These classes focus on building strength, improving mobility, correcting movement patterns, and maintaining joint resilience.

With a wide range of class types and convenient times, there’s plenty of opportunity to continue progressing safely under expert guidance.

Jan providing physio for Sciatica and osteoarthritis pain

Ready to Take Control of Your Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis doesn’t have to stop you from living fully. At Lilyfield Physio, we’ll guide you with safe, effective treatment that reduces pain, builds strength, and improves day-to-day movement.

Book your osteoarthritis physio appointment in Sydney today and start your journey toward easier movement and lasting joint health.

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Two elderly patients doing our GLA:D program in Sydney

Our Approach to Arthritis

  1. Comprehensive Assessment: History, joint examination, and functional testing.
  2. Manual Therapy: Soft-tissue release, gentle mobilisation, pain relief techniques.
  3. Targeted Exercise: Strength and flexibility programs for affected joints.
  4. Education: Joint protection strategies, load management, weight management support.
  5. Clinical Pilates: Low-impact strengthening to improve alignment and reduce stiffness.
  6. Progress Review: Regular check-ins to adapt programs and track progress.

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

  • Age-related degeneration: Natural wear and tear of cartilage, reduced joint lubrication, and gradual decline in tissue resilience.
  • Previous injuries or surgery: Past fractures, ligament tears, or joint surgery (such as meniscus removal) can accelerate cartilage breakdown and instability.
  • Repetitive strain: Long-term occupational or sporting activities that overload joints, such as kneeling, squatting, lifting, or running.
  • Biomechanical issues: Poor movement patterns, joint malalignment, muscle weakness, or unequal load distribution that increase stress on cartilage.
  • Genetic predisposition: A family history of osteoarthritis increases risk, suggesting hereditary influence.
  • Metabolic and systemic factors: Obesity increases load on joints, while diabetes, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome contribute to inflammation and cartilage damage.
  • Bone and joint health: Osteoporosis, low bone density, or pre-existing inflammatory arthritis can worsen progression.
  • Lifestyle influences: Sedentary living reduces joint nutrition and mobility, while smoking and poor diet are linked to faster degeneration.
  • Hormonal factors: Post-menopausal women are at higher risk due to hormonal changes affecting joint and bone health.
Karen with an osteoarthritis physio patient doing walking exercises

Meet Our Osteoarthritis Physios

Lilyfield Physiotherapy is proud to offer some of Australia’s most experienced and highly qualified osteoarthritis physiotherapists, committed to helping you move better, faster.

FAQs

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition where cartilage breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

What is osteoarthritis physio?

Osteoarthritis physio uses exercise, manual therapy, and education to relieve symptoms, improve function, and slow progression of arthritis.

Can physiotherapy help arthritis without surgery?

Yes. Physiotherapy is first-line treatment for osteoarthritis and can significantly reduce pain and improve movement, often delaying or avoiding surgery.

Which joints can osteoarthritis physio help?

Knees, hips, spine, shoulders, and hands are the most common, but physiotherapy can help any affected joint.

How long does it take to feel better?

Many people feel improvements in strength and pain within 4–6 weeks, with ongoing gains through consistent treatment.

Do you use exercise as treatment?

Yes. Exercise is the most effective long-term treatment for osteoarthritis, helping to strengthen muscles and support joint health.

Can physiotherapy stop arthritis from getting worse?

It can’t reverse joint changes, but it can slow progression, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.

Is osteoarthritis the same as rheumatoid arthritis?

No. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition.

Can I claim a rebate for my treatment?

If you have private health cover and subscribe to the “extras” cover, you may be eligible to claim part of your treatment fee. There are many different schemes and you are best advised to check your level of cover with your insurer.  Most health funds are online with HICAPS, which allows you to claim your health fund rebate immediately at our clinic, leaving only the gap for you to pay. You will need to bring your health fund card with you. 

Is physio covered by Medicare?

Yes, in some cases. Medicare now offers chronic disease management referred to as Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plans, for people with chronic conditions. This allows for a Medicare rebate, for up to 5 physio or exercise physiology treatments a year. You must be referred by your GP and you need to bring your Medicare card with you.  If you have any queries regarding this service, please don’t hesitate to speak with our staff or discuss your eligibility with your GP.

What happens at my first treatment?

Following a comprehensive assessment, including functional testing and physical examination, we shall establish a preliminary diagnosis and discuss your treatment options and expected outcomes with you.

Treatment may involve different options for relieving pain, restoring function, flexibility and strength.

You will learn techniques to use at home to manage your problem, which may include preventative measures and exercise.

During your consultation, please feel free to ask ass any questions as you wish. A good understanding of your condition is important for your recovery. This includes your likely recovery time, number of sessions required and future exercise advice.

We may liaise with others involved in your care., If applicable, we shall also refer you onto other health professionals to play a role in your recovery.

What to bring to your first appointment?

You are welcome to wear whatever you are most comfortable in. For Exercise sessions and classes, please wear exercise clothes and a pair of socks, making sure you able to move freely 

Please bring along any doctor’s referral letters, scan or x-ray results and your private health insurance card so you can claim for your treatment on the spot. 

What should I expect at my first appointment?

Your Physiotherapist will complete a thorough assessment of your complaint and then provide you with a preliminary diagnosis and appropriate treatments based on their findings. This will generally consist of some hands-on treatment, advice and often you will receive some exercises to do at home. Your Physiotherapist will also discuss with you their plan for management which will include likely recovery time, number of sessions required and future exercise advice. 

What payment methods do we accept?

We accept cash, EFTPOS, VISA and MasterCard. If you bring your private health insurance card with you, we can process an on-the-spot claim via our HICAPS terminal and you will then only need to pay the gap fee.

Can a physio refer for an MRI?

Yes. Physiotherapists can refer patients directly for MRI scans, provided they have completed the appropriate training and accreditation. Your physiotherapist will determine if an MRI is necessary based on your assessment and condition.

Can a physio give a medical certificate?

Yes. Physiotherapists can provide medical certificates (sick notes) for issues related to musculoskeletal or physical health concerns. These certificates can cover time off work, recommendations for modified duties, or clearance for returning to regular activities.

CTP Insurance information

We accept referrals for Compulsory Third-Party Insurance claims. Once you have seen your GP and received a claim number, we are able to send any invoices directly to the insurer. If you need to start treatment before you have a claim number, we shall ask you to cover the cost of the treatment and claim from the insurer later. 

What is our cancellation or missed appointment policy?

You can cancel and re-schedule by calling our rooms on 9810 2203. For after hours, we have an answering machine service for you to leave a message. Our receptionist will contact you shortly after it is received to confirm cancellation or to help you re-schedule.

We request that if you are unable to make a consultation or class that you let us know at least 24 hours prior to your appointment so that someone else can use your treatment time.

We have a cancellation fee policy for late cancellations or missed appointments.

What is our privacy policy?

This practice takes great care to ensure that our information records are accurate and are treated with full regard to the privacy of our patients. We only collect information from our patients that is necessary for good health care and aim to ensure that any information we hold is accurate, complete and up-to-date.

The health information we hold helps us provide our patients with the best possible health care, and is disclosed only to others involved in your treatment, such as your doctor. If we need to disclose information about you to people other than those associated with your treatment, we will seek your permission first.

Occasionally we may be involved in research on health issues. If any data from this practice is used in research, it will not include information which identifies our patients.

This practice is bound by the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000, and operates in accordance with the Code of Conduct of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. If you would like to discuss any aspects of our privacy policy, or review your health records, please advise your treating Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist.

Find Us

780 Darling Street, Rozelle NSW 2039

Mon6:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tue7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wed7:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Thu7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Fri7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sat7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
SunClosed

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Contact Information

  • (02) 9810 2203
  • info@lilyfieldphysio.com.au

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