This morning MSK-focused startup IncludeHealth announced the rollout of its new musculoskeletal operating system, dubbed MSK-OS, focused on virtual physical therapy. The new launch is part of a collaboration with Google and ProMedica Health Systems. 

The new platform was designed to help clinicians deliver physical therapy and MSK care remotely on any device. MSK-OS is equipped with pose estimation models that can measure a patient’s balance, strength and range of motion during physical therapy.

Patients are able to connect to their clinician via any connected device with a forward-facing camera, including a phone, tablet or computer. Providers are able to create personalized MSK plans for their patients, which can be stored on the cloud. Clinicians are able to review patient data and review a patients’ history overtime. 

The company pitched the new tool as a way to help integrate in-person and virtual MSK care. Patients are able to tap into the tool without using sensors to measure their movements. 

“Healthcare is moving beyond an old paradigm where patients could only get care at pre-scheduled times and inconvenient places,” Ryan Eder, founder & CEO of IncludeHealth, said in a statement.

“The new MSK-OS was built to facilitate the hybrid model, where providers can deliver a seamless blend of on-site and remote digital care with high confidence and increased access – improving convenience, efficiency, and outcomes. We’re proud to collaborate with these world-leading organizations to usher in the next evolution of MSK care.” 

WHY IT MATTERS 

There is a growing demand for physical therapists in the United States. In fact, according to the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation, by 2025, there will need an additional 27,000 physical therapists to meet the demand. However, increasingly folks are turning to digital tools to access care. 

“The landscape of care delivery has shifted,” Dr. John Pigott, chief innovation officer at ProMedica, said in a statement. “Health systems must now seek powerful tools to navigate the new frontier of blending on-site and remote services.

"We’re excited to partner with IncludeHealth to pioneer the next generation of care delivery and ensure our patients receive care that is convenient, engaging, and most importantly, effective. By combining this easy-to-use technology with our existing high-quality care, our clinicians will be able to enhance the patient experience and deliver better outcomes.”

THE LARGER TREND 

This isn’t the only digital physical therapy tool on the market today. Chronic care management company Omada Health jumped into the physical therapy space in 2020 after it acquired Physera, an app-based platform that includes remote consultations with physical therapists. The acquisition brought the company into the musculoskeletal care space.

In April, Omada Health rolled out a new tool that uses computer vision technology to help physical therapists measure a patient's movement and range of motion virtually. 

Another major player in the virutal MSK care space is Hinge Health, which landed $300 million in Series D funding in January bringing its total valuation to $3 billion. Additionally, Kaia Health, which also helps deliver virtual MSK treatments, scored $75 million in Series C funding in April, bringing its total raise to $125 million.