HYBRID JOINT CARE
A blend of in-home and virtual visits. No prescription required.
Updated: Jan 9th, 2023
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Skip to Hybrid Joint Care Options
In-person or virtual care? How about the best of both worlds. These innovative companies are changing the game by empowering their clients with joint care on their terms.
PROS AND CONS
PROS
Hybrid in-person home and virtual joint care offerings are convenient for patients, improves access to joint care early in the disease process, and promotes compliance with treatment plans.
CONS
To be blunt - there aren't many. The virtual care portion may be difficult in rural areas where internet access is poor. In rare cases, where larger exercise equipment is needed for a care plan, care in-clinic may be a better option.
These offerings are still quite new, but we like where this is headed. A mix of in-house and virtual calls is very likely the future of joint care. Check out our full review of your options below.
CONCLUSIONS
HYBRID CARE
GAME CHANGING
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HOW IT WORKS​
Hinge Health is a big player in the musculoskeletal health digital space, but recently expanded to provide in-home and in-person care as well. This offering was just released (January 2023), and per Hinge is a compliment to their existing digital experience.
Regarding that digital experience - it is extensive:
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Precision Motion Technology: Hinge offers both wearable sensors and computer vision technology to track your exercise movements. ​
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Hinge Connect: Bridges digital care with in-person joint care. Per Hinge they integrate their clinical care team with 1M+ in-person providers to proactively monitor your joint care journey. ​
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Womens Pelvic Floor Disorders: A large percentage of women have pelvic floor disorders, but care is often delayed due to stigma and lack of awareness for care options.
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Enso for Pain Relief: An FDA-cleared wearable technology (appears to be a version of a TENS unit, see our full E-stim review here.) This small, wireless device uses electrical impulses to provide pain relief.​
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THE EVIDENCE
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Hinge has done the work on the clinical evidence front. They have completed multiple clinical trials and the evidence has been consistently strong for short and long-term outcomes for pain and functional levels. Frequency of surgical interventions was also decreased significantly. We would note these studies are for Hinge's digital offerings. No studies exploring the hybrid model of digital and in-person care was available at the time of this publication.
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CONCLUSIONS
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The digital offering is strong and it is one of the most widely available programs through employer health plans. The biggest drawback is simple - if your employer isn't signed up with Hinge then you are out of luck. Search for your employer.
HOW IT WORKS​
Luna is a technology platform that enables individuals to receive in-person physical therapy at their home or workplace. The platform connects local therapists with people who need therapy that fits their schedules and location. This model has been tried before with varying levels of success, but Luna is making a difference by accepting insurance and keeping co-payments in line with what a clinic would charge.
Here is a general overview of how it works:
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Connect with a therapist who specializes in your specific condition and work with them for every appointment.
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Your therapist will provide physical therapy in person, at a location that is convenient and safe for you, such as your home or workplace. This allows you to receive care at a time that works best for you.
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The Luna app, with its in-app exercises prescribed by your therapist and available support for any questions, can help you heal faster.​
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Clients have the same physical therapist for each visit, and can even have their questions answered through the app between sessions. Thanks to direct access laws, a prescription is no longer required to receive a physical therapy evaluation (laws vary by state but Luna knows how to manage them.) They also offer a 30-second insurance verification, which is very easy.
Some clients may be concerned about not having access to clinic-based equipment, but we believe this is a minor issue considering that the majority of exercises can be done using body weight, free weights, or therabands, all of which are provided by Luna.
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THE EVIDENCE
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Physical therapy is often considered a first line of care for musculoskeletal conditions, and there is a large body of clinical evidence to support its effectiveness in the treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
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CONCLUSIONS
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Ok, we love it. If you're looking for a hands-on approach that fits into your schedule - it's hard to beat.
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PROS
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Licensed Physical Therapist involved from day one
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Insurance accepted
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Hands-on, face-to-face care
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Well designed exercise app
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Ability to message your PT between sessions
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CONS
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You won't have access to larger pieces of exercise equipment