Upswing Health combines AI and telehealth to improve MSK care and cut costs

Pierangelo Raiola
xtravision
Published in
2 min readNov 28, 2023

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computer Vision (CV) in healthcare is revolutionizing patient care, particularly in the field of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. This case study examines the implementation of these technologies by Upswing Health and Xtravision.ai, demonstrating their impact on simplifying and speeding up triage and personalizing care.

Upswing created a symptom checker that replicates the traditional doctor-patient office interaction powered by AI algorithms for more than 160 different MSK conditions

MSK disorders are among the most costly healthcare issues, with annual costs approaching $800 billion in the U.S. alone. Traditional care methods have been inefficient, leading to the development of AI and CV solutions to address these challenges​​.

Upswing Health’s AI-Driven Approach Upswing Health, co-founded by Dr. Steve Schutzer, an orthopedic surgeon, leverages AI to improve MSK care. The platform includes an MSK-specific symptom assessment tool that uses decision-tree logic to assess over 160 different MSK conditions. This tool, through a series of intuitive questions, provides patients with possible diagnoses and connects them to relevant information, including self-help tips​​.

A computer vision system enables customized physical examinations by visually gathering and interpreting data, eliminating the need for extra equipment.

Computer Vision Solution Xtravision.ai complements Upswing’s approach with its Computer Vision technology. This technology allows for tailored physical exams by capturing and analyzing data visually, without the need for additional hardware. It simplifies patient onboarding and offers self-triage physical examinations, integrating seamlessly with healthcare systems for streamlined operations​​​​​​.

The integration of these technologies has led to significant improvements in MSK care:

  • Reduced Costs: Upswing Health’s approach has led to a 38% reduction in the consumption of MSK services, including surgeries and emergency visits​​.
  • Enhanced Efficiency: Xtravision’s Computer Vision technology enables rapid setup and immediate results, significantly saving therapists’ weekly hours​​.
  • Improved Patient Experience: Both platforms provide immediate access to care and personalized treatment plans, enhancing patient satisfaction and outcomes​​​​.

The combination of AI and CV in MSK care exemplifies the potential of technology in healthcare. By simplifying and accelerating the triage process and offering personalized care paths, these technologies are pivotal in transforming patient experiences and outcomes.

A medical application that integrates language models and computer vision technology to streamline and expedite the triage process.

As healthcare continues to evolve, the adoption of such innovative solutions will be crucial in addressing complex healthcare challenges.

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Pierangelo Raiola
xtravision

Building @xtravision to revolutionize healthcare delivery through accessible remote patient monitoring. Former pro-skier and M&A associate at CapM Advisors.