Workplace Health

The cost of digital physical therapy vs traditional PT: an employer's guide

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Footnotes

1

GoodRx Health. How much does physical therapy cost? 2024. Available at: https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/general/how-much-does-physical-therapy-cost 

2

Sword Health. MSK Money Pit Report. 2024. Available at: https://swordhealth.com/insights/msk-money-pit-report

3

Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI). Study on physical therapy adherence. 2018. Available at: https://www.aptqi.com/resources

4

Sword Health. ROI Report. 2025. Available at: https://swordhealth.com/insights/gated-reports/sword-roi

5

American College of Radiology. Medical imaging costs: MRI scan cost guide. 2023. Available at: https://www.acr.org 

6

Shanthanna H, et al. Cost analysis of corticosteroid injections for musculoskeletal pain. Pain Physician. 2014;17(5):E643–E654. PMID: 25247897

7

Healthcare Bluebook. Orthopedic specialist visit cost estimates. 2024. Available at: https://www.healthcarebluebook.com 

8

Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). Statistical Brief #210: Characteristics of inpatient stays for knee and hip replacements among adults aged 45 and over, 2009–2014. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2016. Available at: https://hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb210-Knee-Hip-Replacements.jsp 

9

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Average wait times for orthopedic appointments. 2023. Available at: https://aaos.org

10

Bettger JP, et al. High-intensity digital physical therapy: engagement and clinical outcomes. npj Digital Medicine. 2023;6:121. doi:10.1038/s41746-023-00870-3

11

Sword Health. Predict ROI Report. 2024. Available at: https://swordhealth.com/insights/gated-reports/sword-predict-roi

12

Alami S, et al. Impact of digital MSK care on depression and anxiety. J Pain Res. 2022;15:53–66. doi:10.2147/JPR.S343308

13

Liu X, et al. Early physical therapy vs delayed care for low back pain: cost and utilization outcomes. Physical Therapy Journal. 2017;97(6):530–539. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzx033 

14

Cottrell MA, et al. Impact of digital physical therapy on productivity. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice. 2023;63:102709. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102709 

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