Better Knee, Better Me

Better Knee, Better Me could help you manage knee osteoarthritis

Reduce knee pain

A physiotherapist will coach you in pain management and exercises designed to help improve knee pain.

Manage weight loss

A dietitian will support you with a weight management plan to reduce pressure on your knees.

Exercise safely

A physiotherapist will guide you on how to exercise safely with knee osteoarthritis.

How the program works

This is a 12-month, evidence-based program for eligible Medibank members with chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis. It combines personalised plans for exercise, weight loss and pain management that aims to help reduce the impact of knee osteoarthritis on your quality of life.

People with osteoarthritis who are above a healthy weight may experience more severe pressure on their knees¹. That’s why Better Knee, Better Me aims to help you achieve a healthy weight and decrease your chances of requiring total knee replacement surgery.

Video consultations with a dietitian and a physiotherapist will support you to reduce pressure on your knees and guide you to safe, healthy exercises suitable for knee osteoarthritis.

The infographic below shows you what your program journey could look like, as well as what support you’ll receive along the way.

Why Better Knee, Better Me?

No enrolment fee

There is no enrolment fee to participate if you are an eligible member. Your GP or specialist may charge consultation fees if they don’t bulk bill.

No waiting periods

You don’t need to have served your Medibank hospital cover waiting periods to participate. Check your cover’s eligibility below.

Participate from anywhere

The program is completely online, so you can join from anywhere in Australia.

Research-based

The program was developed in partnership with leading researchers from the University of Melbourne and Austin Health.

Hear from a program participant

Leanne shares the impact that knee osteoarthritis had on her quality of life. Hear about her experience working with her Better Knee, Better Me dietitian and physiotherapist to assist in managing her chronic knee pain, all while travelling the country in a caravan.

Better Knee, Better Me clinical trial results

Better Knee, Better Me began as an independently tested clinical research trial developed in partnership with leading researchers from the University of Melbourne and Austin Health. It explored whether diet, exercise and weight loss could help people manage symptoms of osteoarthritis-related knee pain. More than 400 Medibank members participated.

4 in 5 trial participants experienced clinically significant pain improvement

On average, trial participants lost 10.2kg over 6 months

95% of participants were satisfied with their care

Results refer to the Better Knee, Better Me clinical trial².Care satisfaction assessed using a 7-point Likert scale. Individual results may vary.

Check your eligibility

If you answer yes to the following questions you may be eligible to participate in Better Knee, Better Me

Are you a Medibank member with resident hospital cover that includes joint replacement surgery?

Are you 45–80 years old?

Have you been experiencing chronic knee pain on most days for the past 3 months?

Are you above a healthy weight (is your BMI 27 or greater)?

Can you access a phone and the internet?

Can you speak and read English?

Please note: Our team will assess your clinical suitability during the screening process. Clinical approval from your GP will be required if you are at risk of renal failure or risk of falling, if you’re 71–80 years old, if you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, if your BMI is greater than 45kg/m², or if you’ve been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis (e.g., gout or rheumatoid arthritis).

Unfortunately, the program is not suitable for everyone. Please check the exclusion criteria below.

You will not be eligible to participate in Better Knee, Better Me if you:

are already scheduled for leg, back or bariatric surgery
are already scheduled for a knee replacement
have previously had joint replacements on both knees
have previously had bariatric surgery
have a presence of porphyria
have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
are in a catabolic state (i.e. cancer, major trauma or unexplained weight loss)
have been diagnosed with severe or advanced renal or liver failure
have been diagnosed with an unstable cardiovascular condition
are receiving insulin or taking an SGLT2 inhibitor diabetes medication.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the dietitian and physiotherapist consultations delivered remotely?

Around 7 million Australians (or 1 in 3 Medibank members) live in rural and remote areas³. Australians who live outside a major city often experience higher rates of chronic conditions and struggle to access support services. Medibank is bridging this gap by ensuring that care is available to all eligible members regardless of where they live. Conducting the Better Knee, Better Me consultations by phone and video means you could live in Broome or Bundoora and still have access to the same personalised support for your chronic knee pain.

Does having osteoarthritis mean I’ll need a total knee replacement surgery at some stage?

No. Most people can manage their symptoms through changes to their lifestyle, such as weight loss and increased physical activity and strengthening exercises. In fact, fewer than 5% of Australians with osteoarthritis will go on to have joint replacement surgery each year⁴.

If you’re considering a total knee joint replacement, our No Gap Joint Replacement Program helps eligible members pay no out-of-pocket costs^{^}for a knee or hip joint replacement.

Are the Better Knee, Better Me physiotherapists experienced in knee osteoarthritis management?

What does the program journey look like?

Your 12-month journey through the Better Knee, Better Me program is divided into two streams: exercise and pain management, and weight loss.

Exercise and pain management

Phase 1: Initial consultation (Week 1)

Your initial consult with a registered physiotherapist will take up to 60 minutes. The aim of this consult is to explain the program structure, set your personal goals, and develop your tailored management plan. Your plan will include strengthening exercises, a physical activity program and advice about other self-management strategies. You’ll also learn more about the relationship between osteoarthritis and exercise.

Phase 2: Ongoing support (Weeks 2 – 24)

The remaining six virtual consultations will take approximately 30-45 minutes and will be scheduled over six months. You’ll follow a personalised, graded exercise program aimed specifically at increasing muscle strength, physical function and aerobic fitness.

Weight loss support

Phase 1: Weight loss (From week 1 for 12-18 weeks)

The focus of the weight loss phase is to establish your diet and—when you’re ready—light to moderate physical activity. Your dietitian will support you as you change to a daily diet of two meal replacements, a third lower carbohydrate meal, and snacks. This diet will meet all your nutritional needs.

Phase 2: Transition (After weight loss phase, for 6 weeks)

During this transition phase, your dietitian will support you to reduce your number of meal replacements per day and slowly re-introduce lower GI carbohydrates into your diet. Your dietitian will then help you to transition to a wholefood diet, which can be continued indefinitely.

Phase 3: Weight maintenance (ongoing)

Upon completing the program, you’ll aim to maintain your weight loss by following the long-term diet that you and your dietitian agree on in Phase 2. You’ll also be encouraged to increase your physical activity levels to maintain a healthy weight and any improvements in your knee pain.

Things you should know

While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).

* Available to suitable Medibank members aged 45-80 with resident hospital cover that includes joint replacement surgery who have been experiencing chronic knee pain on most days for the past 3 months, are above a healthy weight (BMI≥27) and can access a telephone and internet.

^There may be out-of-pocket expenses associated with outpatient appointments, such as your initial visit with a participating surgeon in their consulting rooms. If a member has chosen an excess or per-day payment on their cover to lower their monthly premium, this will still be payable (for example, if you’re claiming for the first time that calendar year, you may need to pay an excess).

References

¹ Cicuttini, F. M., & Wluka, A. E. (2016). Not just loading and age: the dynamics of osteoarthritis, obesity and inflammation. The Medical Journal of Australia.

² Bennell, K. L., Lawford, B. J., Keating, C., Brown, C., Kasza, J., Mackenzie, D., Metcalf, B., Kimp, A. J., Egerton, T., Spiers, L., Proietto, J., Sumithran, P., Harris, A., Quicke, J. G., & Hinman, R. S. (2021). Comparing video-based, Telehealth-delivered exercise and weight loss programs with online education on outcomes of knee osteoarthritis. Annals of Internal Medicine.

³ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2018). Australia’s health 2018. Australia’s health series no. 16. AUS 221. Canberra: AIHW.

⁴ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Osteoarthritis Australian Government, 2017.

Acknowledgements

Better Knee, Better Me, a program developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne and Austin Health.

Call us or email Health.Programs@medibank.com.au to check your eligibility

Call 1300 733 338

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