Digital Care is Saving Patients from Costly, Unnecessary Surgeries

Too many unnecessary and unsuccessful surgeries are driving enormous healthcare costs.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, or pain in joints, ligaments and muscles, is very common, with lower back pain alone affecting 39% of U.S. adults. Over the years, rates of spine surgery have trended upward. A report at the end of 2024 found that on average, 14% of spinal fusions were considered “overuse.” Between 2019 and 2021, an estimated more than 200,000 unnecessary spine surgeries cost Medicare an estimated $2 billion.

This is not to say that all surgeries are unnecessary — there is certainly an important place for surgery in MSK care, and it is sometimes medically necessary. However, research shows that even when surgery is needed, digital physical therapy (PT) can improve outcomes. People who followed a pre- and post surgery digital PT program reported fewer post operative surgical complications compared to a group that received traditional care. Clinical guidelines recommend starting with conservative care such as PT, and most people in pain (77%) prefer nonsurgical options that prevent avoidable surgeries. For these reasons and others, including increased access and convenience to care along with reduced costs, digital care solutions have become an increasingly attractive offering that deliver impressive outcomes.

Preventing avoidable surgery requires that the healthcare system provides higher quality upstream care.

Low-value care — that which has little or no benefit to patients, or where risks likely exceed benefits — is highly prevalent in the treatment of MSK conditions, due to the overuse of opioids, imaging, and unnecessary surgery. And treatment plans that don’t address mental health, comorbidities, or fear of movement ignore these common contributors to increased pain sensitivity.

Better care early in a person’s pain journey can send them down a path to recovery through exercise therapy, lifestyle changes, and avoidance of unnecessary imaging and invasive procedures.

Why is digital care so effective at preventing unnecessary surgeries?

Digital MSK solutions are proving effective for upstream care because that’s where they start to intervene; engaging people with exercise therapy, education and nonaddictive pain relief right at the onset of their pain. While midstream and downstream care services are sometimes required, access to digital care ensures people are embracing conservative care first.

There are three primary factors driving why digital care can be so effective at reducing unnecessary medical surgeries. Namely, digital care is able to identify those most at risk, easily educate, and provide robust support.

• Identify: An internal analysis of health claims data shows that about 6% of people drive 85% of MSK costs. The use of AI in digital care is now making it possible to identify those who are most at risk to educate about treatment options.
• Educate: Clinical guidelines recommend starting with conservative care like physical therapy and pain science education, yet many are unaware of these options. When patients learn about their condition and connect with orthopedic specialists, the majority of people will choose less invasive, lower cost options.
• Support: With improvements in pain and function from consistent exercise therapy supported by PTs, health coaches and other orthopedic specialists, interest in surgery may decline. Research finds adherence is often higher in virtual programs than with traditional in-person care.

When done successfully, digital care can substantially reduce costly surgeries, including spinal fusion surgeries, knee replacements, and hip replacements.

It’s time to embrace digital care solutionsDespite substantial spending by healthcare leaders, traditional care is falling short, especially for people with chronic pain. Chronic MSK conditions are among the biggest healthcare cost drivers; in 2024, 74% of employers cited MSK conditions as a top driver of healthcare spending. People in pain need solutions that address the need for comprehensive, equitable care. Digital solutions can provide support throughout the patient journey; integrating virtual support with in-person care creates pathways to meet complex patient needs.

Photo: Motortion, Getty Images

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