New York, NY, March 18, 2026 - Mend, Inc., a leading clinically validated perioperative nutrition and digital care company, and Inkwell Health, a leader in advanced musculoskeletal and remote care solutions for monitoring inflammation, temperature and range of motion, today announced a strategic partnership to launch what the companies believe to be the first fully integrated, remote-first patient care platform purpose-built for orthopedic populations.
In this collaboration, Inkwell clients will be able to extend the inflammation, temperature, and range-of-motion monitoring program with Mend's Upgraid™ digital care and clinical nutrition platform, creating a comprehensive solution that supports patients before surgery, after surgery, and throughout perioperative management. The partnership will begin offering this program to Inkwell's existing clients, providing them with an evidence-based nutrition and surgical care program.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Orthopedic Care
Orthopedic recovery is often fragmented. Surgeon follow-up, physical therapy, surgical intervention, pain management, and nutrition are typically delivered in silos — leaving patients to navigate complex recovery pathways on their own. The Mend–Inkwell model changes that through this integrated offering:
- Patients receive structured digital navigation through their orthopedic journey
- Evidence-based clinical nutrition is deployed to support metabolic health, inflammation modulation, tissue repair, and muscle preservation.
- Registered dietitians provide personalized nutrition guidance.
- Musculoskeletal care protocols are aligned with nutrition and behavioral support.
- Clinicians can remotely monitor critical recovery metrics, such as swelling, temperature, movement, and pain, to detect potential complications.
- Remote monitoring and engagement tools drive adherence and outcomes
The result is a coordinated, data-informed approach designed to improve recovery trajectories while reducing complications, muscle loss, and prolonged disability.
A Remote-First, Evidence-Based Platform
Mend's Upgraid™ platform has been utilized across surgical and musculoskeletal populations, including use within leading hospital systems and private practices. Its formulations are third-party tested and developed based on peer-reviewed literature focused on surgical stress, inflammatory pathways, muscle preservation, and recovery physiology.
Inkwell Health brings structured musculoskeletal care delivery, monitoring inflammation, temperature, and range of motion, employer and client partnerships, and a scalable remote infrastructure that allows orthopedic patients to receive coordinated care regardless of geographic location. Together, the companies are delivering an integrated remote care model that aligns:
- Orthopedic treatment
- Clinical nutrition
- Behavioral change
- Digital navigation
- Ongoing performance and resilience support
This combined program currently supports operative total joint patients and will expand into other indications as Inkwell's technology and Mend's care pathways are extended.
A New Standard for Employers, Health Systems, and Risk-Bearing Entities
The partnership is positioned to serve employers, health plans, provider groups, and value-based care organizations seeking improved outcomes and cost containment in orthopedic populations, which are among the highest drivers of healthcare spend. By proactively supporting patients before and after orthopedic intervention, the integrated Mend/Inkwell model aims to:
- Enhance recovery timelines
- Support muscle preservation during periods of immobility
- Improve patient engagement and adherence
- Reduce preventable complications
- Promote long-term musculoskeletal resilience
The platform is designed for national deployment, with licensure and compliance frameworks in place to support multi-state implementation.
Leadership Perspectives
"Orthopedics is one of the most procedure-driven areas of medicine, yet recovery physiology — particularly nutrition and metabolic support — has historically been under-integrated," said Paul Roscoe, CEO of Mend. "This partnership represents a shift toward systems-level thinking. Recovery is biological, behavioral, and structural. Our integrated remote platform addresses all three."
"Inkwell Health is focused on delivering scalable musculoskeletal care that meets patients where they are," said John Matthews, CEO of Inkwell. "By integrating Mend's evidence-based clinical nutrition and digital navigation capabilities, we are redefining what comprehensive orthopedic care can look like, especially in a remote-first world."
About Mend
Mend, Inc. is a clinically validated perioperative nutrition and digital care company dedicated to elevating clinical nutrition to the rigor of pharmaceuticals and procedures. Its Upgraid™ platform integrates evidence-based nutrition, behavioral support, and digital navigation across surgical and musculoskeletal populations.
Learn more at: www.mend.me
About Inkwell Health
Inkwell Health is a musculoskeletal-focused healthcare company delivering advanced care solutions through scalable, remote-enabled models. The company partners with employers and healthcare organizations to improve access, coordination, and outcomes in orthopedic care.
Learn more at: www.inkwellhealth.com
Media Contact:
Kathryn Smart
Vice President Marketing
kathryn@mend.me
