Current in-clinic methods of measuring the composition of an injured body segment are indirect while more medically advanced methods limit testing frequency.InBody provides a cost-effective, comprehensive and timely measurement of segmental lean mass, which can be used to identify areas of weakness due to injury or recent surgery and tailor rehabilitation programs to improve functional status.​

During the rehabilitation phase after an injury or surgery, increased sedentary behavior and/or immobilization causes loss of muscle in the injured or operated region. By evaluating lean mass in each segment of the arms, legs, and trunk separately, a physical therapist can gather baseline information on lean mass in the segments with restricted mobility. This provides beneficial information for the identification of potential imbalances related to muscle loss post-injury/surgery. By assessing each segment separately, regions of low lean mass development can be targeted and improved. By identifying these imbalances related to immobility and/or overcompensation, functional fitness and mobility can be increased, helping the therapist reduce the risk of future reinjury.​

Understanding segmental lean distribution for a patient can help the therapist guide patients back to baseline more effectively. The information from the InBody test can help by providing further insight into a patient’s body composition with the opportunity to provide further analysis of long-term health risks associated with body composition imbalances. Using this information, therapists can set tailored exercise interventions for improving overall health and health risks.​
​
The Segmental Lean Analysis (SLA) section can quickly assess a patient’s frailty status and functional mobility risk. By segmenting the body, areas of low lean mass can be identified and targeted for improvement, helping reduce risk of falls and/or injuries. The top bar of the SLA provides an objective measure of fat-free mass, while the bottom bar incorporates an in-depth analysis into:​

1. The ability of a particular segment to support the patient’s’ overall body weight and​
2. Identify insufficient lean development in particular body segments.​​

Identifying areas of low lean mass can help tailor more specific programs to improve patient outcomes such as functional status and quality of life both before and after bariatric surgery. By correcting areas of weakness this will not only help the patient’s health but improve lifestyle as well.​

Patient progress is tracked through subjective measurement screenings and patient-reported outcomes, making it harder to track progress precisely and objectively. Objective measures of weight, skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat, and ECW/TBW allow progress in body composition and inflammation to be recorded and tracked throughout a rehabilitation program.​

InBody’s Body Composition History section allows patients and physical therapists to monitor progress over the course of physical therapy programs. Improvements can be tracked to assess to ensure rehabilitation programs are improving the client’s musculature, body composition, and functionality. Visualization of progress keeps patients motivated and engaged in their treatment plan. Long-term monitoring of ECW/TBW can track decreases in inflammation following the surgery or injury as well as monitor for increases that may be indicative of irritation or overtraining. Negative trends can be identified more effectively and addressed to improve the patient’s long-term health, functionality, and mobility.​