Digital technologies for managing mild to moderate symptoms of hip or knee osteoarthritis: early value assessment

HealthTech guidance
Reference number: HTG766
Published: 22 January 2026

2 Information about the technologies

2.1

This assessment considered 11 digital technologies for managing mild to moderate symptoms of hip or knee osteoarthritis. The technologies are accessed through a web or smartphone application. They aim to give people the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their condition when it is convenient for them. Each technology includes the following components:

information, education and advice on managing hip or knee osteoarthritis
a personalised therapeutic exercise programme
signposting to appropriate support services when needed.

2.2

The technologies vary in terms of their delivery, access route, intended population, professional involvement, additional features, current NHS use and costs (table 1). The costs and durations of use vary. Some technologies have an annual cost, whereas others have a cost based on how long they are expected to be used. More detail is in table 1 of the external assessment group (EAG) assessment report and table 1 of the assessment report overview.

2.3

ESCAPE-pain and Physio Wizard are no longer available to the NHS, so the committee could not make a recommendation on these digital technologies.

**Table 1. Overview of digital technologies for managing mild to moderate symptoms of hip or knee osteoarthritis**
Technology	Regulatory status	Indication	Healthcare professional communication	Additional features	Programme adjustments	Cost
getUBetter (getUBetter)	Class 1	Hip and knee	No direct communication	No	Based on user feedback	£18.86 (annual)
Good Boost (Good Boost Wellbeing)	Class 1	Hip and knee	One way (professional to user)	Optional classes	Automated based on user feedback	£46.15 (annual)
Hinge Health (Hinge Health)	Class 1	Hip and knee	No direct communication	Motion tracking	Automated based on user feedback	£296.25 (annual)
Joint Academy (Artho Therapeutics)	Class 1	Hip and knee	Two way (messaging and video with company specialist)	No	By company physiotherapist and semi-automated based on user feedback	£112.50 (12 weeks)
Pathway Through Arthritis (Wellmind health)	Class 1	Hip and knee	One way (user to professional)	Unclear	Unclear	Unclear
Phio Engage (EQL)	Not a medical device	Hip and knee	Two way (messaging with company or NHS specialist)	No	By physiotherapist	£45.28 (annual)
re.flex (Kineto tech rehab)	Class 1	Knee	No direct communication	Wearable sensor with motion tracking	Automated based on sensor feedback	£229.50 (12 weeks)
Sword Thrive (Sword Health)	Class 1	Hip and knee	Two way (messaging and video with company specialist)	Wearable sensor with motion tracking	By physiotherapist	£250 (annual)
TrackActive Me (Active Health Tech)	Class 1	Hip and knee	One way (user to professional)	No	Automated based on user feedback	Confidential

Phio Engage is not classed as a medical device because, when this technology is used, it is the healthcare professional who monitors the condition and makes treatment decisions. The annual cost of Sword Thrive was updated after the consultation period.