This podcast was originally published on our website here on 04/01/2026.
The Battle for MSK Care Is Already Underway. Musculoskeletal care is quietly becoming one of the most important battlegrounds in healthcare. MSK conditions affect over 120 million Americans, account for roughly $420 billion in annual healthcare spending, and remain the leading cause of disability worldwide.
And because of that, nearly every major stakeholder in healthcare is moving into this space:
Digital health companies
Employers
Payers
Orthopedic groups
Health systems
Wearable tech companies
They’re all competing for one thing: Control of the musculoskeletal patient relationship.
Because whoever controls the entry point into MSK care often controls everything that follows—from imaging and therapy to injections, surgery, and long-term outcomes.
In this episode, we take a step back and look at what’s really happening in the MSK space—and why this moment represents more than just innovation. It represents a fundamental shift in how care is delivered.
Why Musculoskeletal Care Has Become a $420B Healthcare Category
Why the Current MSK System Is So Fragmented
The 4 Competing Models of MSK Care
Why Policy and Payment Models Are Beginning to Shift
Why Technology Alone Won’t Solve the Problem
Why the Future of MSK Care Will Likely Be Hybrid
We post videos of certain podcast episodes, including this episode, which can find on the YouTube Channel.
Join Rafael E. Salazar II, MHS, OTR/L (Rafi), principal of Rehab U Practice Solutions and host of The Better Outcomes Showas he explores the possibilities of a new healthcare. Guests range from clinicians trying new techniques and treatments to executives and entrepreneurs exploring new technology, innovative service delivery methods, business models, and organizational structures. Grab a copy of the book: Better Outcomes: A Guide to Humanizing Healthcare. Or, hire Rafi to speak at your organization or event.
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