Case Study: Injured Kennel Worker in Maine Recovers from Back Injury 35% Faster With FIGUR8

This case study of a kennel assistant with a back injury illustrates how FIGUR8 enhances the experience across the board—for providers, patients, and payers alike.

In the complex world of workers' compensation and musculoskeletal (MSK) care, achieving optimal recovery outcomes means addressing not just the physical injury but the psychological, emotional, and financial aspects of healing as well. FIGUR8’s innovative bioMotion Assessment Platform (bMAP) is transforming the way providers, patients, and payers navigate this journey. Through objective, data-driven insights, FIGUR8 supports more accurate, personalized care that accelerates recovery, reduces costs, and empowers all stakeholders involved.

Background: Injury and Initial Treatment

The patient, a kennel assistant, suffered a back injury while lifting a heavy dog at work. Initially, she took a few days off work before returning to light duty. Despite visiting her primary care physician (PCP) and receiving a physical therapy (PT) referral, no imaging was performed. Her pain persisted, prompting her to begin a structured PT regimen to support and expedite her full return-to-work and recovery.

Enhanced Provider Experience with FIGUR8

For the physical therapist managing this case, FIGUR8 was a powerful tool for guiding treatment and tracking progress. The platform provided objective, quantitative data on the patient’s MSK function over time, helping the provider make informed decisions about her readiness for discharge.

With FIGUR8’s data, the provider could clearly see the patient’s improvements in functional movement and muscle activation. This allowed the therapist to adjust the treatment plan with confidence and avoid unnecessary sessions. As a result, the provider was able to bring the patient to a safe and effective discharge at just 56 days of care—significantly lower than the ODG average duration of 85 days. For the clinician, FIGUR8 streamlined decision-making, offering an evidence-based approach that removed much of the guesswork from traditional MSK assessments.

Improved Patient Experience: Motivation Through Measurable Progress

One unique aspect of this patient’s case was her high psychological influence on her perception of disability. In such cases, having a visual, objective demonstration of progress is critical for motivation and reassurance. FIGUR8 provided exactly that—a clear, tangible record of her progress over three assessment sessions.

By the time of her final assessment, FIGUR8’s data showed the patient’s marked improvement. For her, seeing this progress in quantifiable terms was not only encouraging but also empowering. Knowing that she was nearing discharge and had successfully improved from her initial injury gave her confidence in her recovery journey. At her last FIGUR8 assessment, the patient expressed excitement at seeing her functional scores, which motivated her to stay engaged in her rehabilitation. This kind of positive patient experience is key to improving adherence and achieving successful outcomes.

Better Insights for Payers and State Funds: Cost Savings and Accelerated Recovery

For payers and state funds, FIGUR8’s impact on cost and efficiency is undeniable. This case demonstrated a significant reduction in both care duration and cost. With FIGUR8-enabled care, the total cost came to $20,496.72—a 32.35% savings compared to the ODG average of $30,296.00. This translated to a value of nearly $9,800 saved in the care of this one patient.

By reducing the total days under care and offering a clear path to recovery, FIGUR8 supports payers and state funds in optimizing claims costs. The objective data provided by the platform helps ensure that resources are used effectively and that patients receive the right amount of care for their specific needs. For workers' compensation programs, these outcomes represent a valuable opportunity to allocate funds more efficiently, manage claims costs, and support faster return-to-work times for injured workers.

FIGUR8, a Game-Changer in MSK Care

This case study exemplifies how FIGUR8 is transforming the landscape of musculoskeletal care. By providing accurate, objective data, FIGUR8 improves the provider experience, making it easier to deliver precise, personalized care. Patients benefit from increased motivation and understanding of their recovery journey, while payers and state funds experience substantial cost savings and efficiency gains.

In this case, FIGUR8 helped reduce recovery time from 85 days to just 56 and saved almost $10,000 in care costs. Beyond the numbers, FIGUR8 fosters a collaborative, transparent environment where providers, patients, and payers can all play an active role in the recovery process. This common language of data and insights sets a new standard for musculoskeletal health, offering a path to better outcomes and more sustainable care for all involved.

As FIGUR8 continues to empower more providers, patients, and payers, we look forward to a future where musculoskeletal care is precise, measurable, and truly patient-centered.

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