MedTools

A unified repository of surgical implants, technique guides, comparisons, and unpackaging videos.

With so many orthopedic implant companies and device options, I am amazed it has taken so long for someone to create a central educational repository.  MedTools is attempting to do just that in the form of both a website and app.  The app itself is well organized with a side-bar menu organized by body part, and sub-menus organized by implant type.  For a generic implant type (ex: Volar Distal Radius Plates, or Total Knee Arthroplasty), the user can quickly see a collection of all available companies and device offerings.  In some cases (total joint arthroplasty) this can include well over 20 different implants from more than 10 companies.  Users can then select a specific implant to obtain product information such as technique guides, reference charts, and photographs of the surgical tray to help familiarize one’s self with the instrumentation.  The app and website have also started video taping “unboxing” of specific devices to ensure that surgeons and their operative staff are prepared and familiar with devices they plan to use.

Overall, this app seems to have been a long-time coming and reflects a significant investment in work and time.  I anticipate the breadth of implants will grow significantly in the near future, which should greatly increase its value and overall utility to surgeons.

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OrthoGuidelines

App for reviewing the AAOS Guidelines and Appropriate Use Criteria for specific diagnoses.

I applaud the AAOS for creating a very useful and intuitive app for reviewing and consulting the AAOS Guidelines and Appropriate Use Criteria for specific diagnoses.  As most orthopaedic surgeons and trainees are aware, the AAOS has committed a significant effort to developing useful guidelines and tools to help surgeons make the appropriate surgical decisions when treating a number of common conditions.  Until now, the guidelines could only be accessed in their PDF form.  This app allows anyone to review the published guidelines in a very useful format.  The app currently includes 17 guidelines (CPG) and 4 appropriate use criteria (AUC) modules.  The guidelines can be sorted by strength and stage of care.

Overall, the app is well made and a great step forward in improving access to these important tools.  I recommend the app to both trainees (for both education and testing purposes) as well as surgeons (for treatment purposes).

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OrthoBullets: Bullets*

OrthoBullets’ stand-alone and companion app with study material, images, questions, and quizzes

OrthoBullets has scored a home run with their new Bullets* app available from the iTunes store.  This app is can be used as a companion app to the existing OrthoBullets website, but also functions extraordinarily well as a stand-alone resource.  The app consists of 5 sections: Topics, QBank, Cases, Evidence and PASS.  The topics section includes all information on the OrthoBullets site, separated in the same familiar lists and easily searched by keyword.  I found the search and browsing to be very fast and intuitive.  Importantly, each topic includes the same figures, diagrams, and questions associated with the web version to help learn concepts through the VEPTR technique.

The QBank also integrates with your existing online login and automatically transfers over your existing TestMaster scores and personal tests.  It also allows you to create new tests which can be defined by test style, topics, number of questions, etc.  The format will be very familiar to existing OrthoBullets users.

The cases will be familiar to any OrthoBullets user, and includes a presentation, images, and the valuable comments and discussion that ensures.  One of the newest features includes the ability to select “Evidence” to support an answer to a question, greatly enhancing the validity and value of this service.  The evidence can also be searched independently, and by specialty.  All of this is seamlessly integrated into the mobile format.

Lastly, the PASS section is available to residents who already use the PASS system in their residency program.  While I could not test this section entirely, it appears to function similar to the website equivalent.

Overall, the Bullets* app is a full-featured educational tool for any orthopaedic student, resident, fellow, or attending.  With quick and easy access to the entire OrthoBullets database combined with cases, quiz access and a versatile interface – I highly recommend this free app to everyone.

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Biolox Inside

Company information about biolox ceramic implants

Biolox has produced this information app to give providers detailed product information regarding their ceramic implant component and designs. The app is well-made and include very technical information regarding the shape, size, and cautions with using their ceramic products for hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.  The app includes numerous videos, 3D animations, and booklet handouts on the topics of wear, fretting corrosion, implants, and results.  Overall an informative app for medical providers who want to learn more about these implants.

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AAOS Access

Complete video content from the AAOS

The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has now created a mobile app portal for access to an entire library of AAOS video content.  The AAOS Access app includes the ability to view, download, and save videos from the Orthopaedic Video Theater, previously only found on the AAOS website.  The user interface is easy to navigate, with a navigation tab on the left providing shortcuts to featured videos, special collections, or specific topics.  Videos can be downloaded for viewing, or streamed directly on the device.  Video and audio content is very good, and can be watched in full screen mode.   The current collection (March 2015) includes 414 videos, an impressive collection, and certainly more will be added in the future.  Additional features include a search function as well as a bookmark tool for easily accessing favorites.

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Insights Orthopedics

Orthopaedic journal and news aggregator with personalized information.

Insights Orthopedics is a comprehensive and visually stunning news and research aggregator for orthopedics.  With a recent redesign in October 2014, their interface has become even more streamlined and visually appealing. Using their specialized search engine, the app collects orthopaedic journals, videos, full-text articles, news, podcasts, images, clinical trials, and association information and presents it in a clear and functional format.  The app looks and feels like the “flipboard for orthopaedic surgery.” The initial landing page presents the various modules, including journal clubs from various institutions, leading journal articles, videos, upcoming events, bookmarks, and industry.  A simple swipe of the keyboard quickly scrolls through the various articles and videos permitting continued browsing of abstracts.  With the new features, thousands of institutional library subscriptions have been adding, permitting full access to the article for users.  The intuitive user interface includes the ability to bookmark resources for off-line browsing or share links via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, email, and SMS.  One of the apps most versatile features is the Aggregator function, which works as a search and includes many pre-populated key terms as well as the ability to type in your own words.

Overall, this app has the look and feel of a “top app” with a number of useful features for any orthopaedic surgeon or trainee.

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Touch Surgery

3-D Surgical Simulation App        

Touch Surgery is a 3-D surgical simulation app to help surgeons/assistants/students become more familiar with particular surgical procedures in their respective field. The app has recently been updated and now offers an even larger library of fundamental orthopaedic procedures that you can download onto your device. The visual clarity and upgrades have drastically improved over the last year. Once you have downloaded the procedure there is a simulation demo that takes you through a step by step demo. The simulation reviews patient set-up, incisions and which neurovascular structures to avoid as well as retractor placement using gestures you make on your device. Once you have completed the demo you can then test yourself through the procedure and see if you are improving your scores. Overall, the best surgical simulation app still out there. It has a clean interface and practical demos for learning orthopaedic residents and students. Some of the apps are 3-D modules which are better made for an iPAD. Hopefully more of the orthopaedics demo’s will be converted to a 3-D format.

In the news

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Corin Resource Hub

Information about Corin orthopaedic implants for surgeons

This device company app is a resource and educational tool for surgeons who want to use or learn more about Corin products. The app is divided into solutions for the hip, knee, and “technology.”  As expected, the app includes general information about the products and marketing information.

*Requires subscription for full text access

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Biomet Orthosize

Image templating viewer for Biomet implants

This app is designed for pre-operative templating of Biomet implants and works in conjunction with their web platform at www.Orthosize.com. The purpose is not to template on the mobile device, but rather to review or modify images created with the desktop software.  To use the app, contact your Biomet representative.

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HS/KS/AAHKS Specialty Day

A meeting app for the Hip Society/Knee Societ 2013

This app is a meeting app for the Hip Society and Knee Society. Unfortunately, the app requires a personal login for access. Thus, a detail review cannot be provided at this time.

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All-Pro Orthopedics

A personal practice app for Dr. Jesse Zisholtz Shaw with patient information, surgery education, appointment booking and a list of services.

This personal practice app is meant to serve as a patient portal for Dr. Jesse Zisholtz Shaw, an orthopaedic sports medicine physician in Tampa, Florida.  The app’s user interface is somewhat unusual, marked by a hidden menu on the right side of the screen.  Users can advance through the menu items, including a welcome screen, the ability to “ask the doctor,” appointment booking information, ability to check in, contact information, and a list of services. The “services listed” includes knee arthroplasty, knee arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, hip replacement, shoulder replacement, and shoulder arthroscopy.  Each sub-section includes a summary of the pathology and treatment options.  The surgeon includes a few photos of (presumably) his patients as well.  The app even includes a primitive game called PicFlippr to help pass the time.  Overall, this app is a personal practice app that may be useful to current or potential patients of Dr. Zisholtz Shaw

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My Knee Guide

Patient resource for those considering knee replacement

My Knee Guide is a complete resource for patients considering knee replacement surgery. I am extremely impressed with how this app personalizes the experience of knee replacement surgery to the patient. The app has creative stories of real-world patients and their experiences of undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The in-app features include: calendar with reminders of surgery specific details and checklists, email alerts to remind patients what to do and when, location based resources of local hospitals and surgeons with SCIP protocol compliance rates and many more resources. Personally my favorite part of the app is “my surgery guide” which informs patients day by day exactly what to expect before and after their surgery. This app will assist the orthopaedic surgeon to set patient expectations and help patients stay informed throughout their treatment process. My only criticize with all the resources in the app is that patients may become overwhelmed. This is an app I plan to use with my patients to help them learn more about total knee replacement.

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ICJR – International Congress for Joint Reconstruction

This comprehensive app includes joint reconstruction lectures, procedures, and technologies.

This free app is published by the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction (ICJR), a nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of orthopaedic care. The app is very well made and includes video presentations from past ICJR meetings. The current version can be accessed in guest mode which permits 3 video downloads.  As of August 2013, there were 35 conferences with videos to access and 9 more upcoming in the next 2 years.  The app also includes the ability to save videos for watching later, search by faculty, and search for particular topics.  The app includes other common features such as video sharing via email and full screen video review.  The video I downloaded was very high quality.

*Requires login for full access. Guest access limited to 3 videos.

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UCSF Center for Joint Replacement

Mobile-based post-operative rehabilitation exercises for UCSF Joint Replacement patients

UCSF has teamed up with CARE to set the standard for the future of mobile rehabilitation.  Currently implemented by the UCSF Joint Replacement program and created by physical therapists, the app provides a personalized website and personalized physical therapy/rehabilitation protocols for patients.   The app is incredibly comprehensive by providing information to patients about their surgery, their surgeon, and lists the exercises they should be performing week-by-week after surgery with complete video demonstrations.

When a patient is enrolled he/she will only see information and post-operative protocols that have been specifically selected by their surgeon.  The app itself consists of the sections described above.  Pre- and post-operative information is available to patients, and the post-operative physical therapy protocol is clearly organized for patients to reference either at home or at the gym.  Overall, the application has been well implemented

*Requires enrollment by the UCSF Joint Replacement program.

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Top Ortho “App”

Download the www.TopOrthoApps.com iPhone app!  You’re already on the website, why not have on-the-go access direct from your iPhone?  This app has all of the best Top Ortho App lists that you’re used to: Top Apps, Free Apps, iPad Apps, Journals, Sports Apps, and much more!  Full reviews and screenshots are all available for free.

This app has all of the best Top Ortho App lists that you’re used to: Top Apps, Free Apps, iPad Apps, Journals, Sports Apps, and much more!  Full reviews and screenshots are all available for free.

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Orthopaedic Patient Information

Very high-quality 3D anatomical models with video demonstrations of common anatomy, pathology, and treatments.

Orthopaedic Patient Information is part of the 3D4Medical’s suite of full-featured anatomy apps.  All of their apps follow a similar and intuitive format, but this one differs slightly. The relevant body part is presented with a video demonstrating the most common anatomy, conditions, and treatments.  These demonstrations are very high quality.   The level of detail and anatomical accuracy of all muscles, tendons, vessels, nerves, ligaments and bones is impressive.  Overall, the entire suite of 3D4Medical anatomy apps are the best anatomy models we have seen yet, and this patient information app is fantastic.

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Knee Pro III

Full-featured 3D anatomy models with support for 3D rotation, various anatomy layers, cross-sectional slices, annotations, and video demonstrations.

Knee Pro III is part of the 3D4Medical’s suite of full-featured anatomy apps.  All of their apps follow a similar and intuitive format.  The relevant body part is presented with skin covering, and different anatomical layers can then be “unwrapped” sequentially through the body.  The level of detail and anatomical accuracy of all muscles, tendons, vessels, nerves, ligaments and bones is impressive.  In addition to the different layers, the view can be manipulated freely.  All body parts can be rotated in the horizontal plan through 360 degrees rotation.  In addition, axial, coronal, and sagittal slices can be taken through various levels of each joint or body part.  The app includes “pins” which already identify every possible structure of every layer.  In addition, most of the apps in the series include videos demonstrating relevant surgical procedures or common pathologies.  These demonstrations are very high quality.  The app includes a “pen” feature for drawing on the screen, however doodles are not saved and disappear once the pen is turned off.  There is even a separate button to turn vessels on and off.  Overall, the entire suite of 3D4Medical anatomy apps are the best anatomy models we have seen yet, based on their accuracy, level of control, and video demonstrations.  Ideal for health care students and possibly even for surgical preparation.

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Arthrosurface

3D virtual knee models promoting Arthrosurface products.

Arthrosurface has released this app presumably for patient education and demonstration of normal and abnormal knee kinematics.  The app is very simple and opens directly to the 3D image of their knee model.  Finger swipes allow for either 360 degree rotational manipulation or range of motion.  There are 3 views: normal, disease, and surgery.  You can also elect to view the implant alone.  Overall, the app is limited in functionality and as a demonstration of knee motion and implants, there are other apps with a much greater feature set.

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Biomet Bone Model

3D virtual bone models of Biomet’s knee, hip, and shoulder solutions.

Biomet enters the world of device apps with “Bone Model” as a way to educate patients and demonstrate their knee, hip, and shoulder implants.  Each module has a 3D model that can be spun 360 degrees in real time with a finger swipe.  A slider bar along the bottom of the screen manipulates joint motion, and pins over the model identify specific structures. Each module has different demonstrations of normal anatomy, damaged anatomy (osteoarthritis), and implants.  There are options to turn on/off bones, ligaments, cartilage, and annotations.

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AAOS eBooks

Full-featured app for downloading and reading books in your AAOS bookshelf library. Text and images are all very clean and apps runs smoothly.

AAOS eBooks, that provides mobile access to titles purchased from their web-based store. As of writing, the store includes 8 popular titles, but is expected to increase to over 30 titles within the next few months.  Unfortunately purchases cannot be made directly through the app, but rather must be paid for on the website.  In addition, although the app asks users to log in via their AAOS username and password, this is an error and rather users must register at the AAOS eBookstore website (www.ebooks.aaos.org) to gain login information. After logging in, users can view the books they have purchased and can download them selectively, ranging in size from about 10-80 Mb.  Once downloaded, the text viewer has typical options, including the ability to change the font, change text size, adjust brightness, highlight text, make notes, and place bookmarks.  The annotation functions are primitive, at best, and even the instructions for highlighting require 4 separate steps each time.  The books themselves are of high quality, text is crisp, and images are clear, however the user cannot increase the image size, which often prevents fully appreciating many of the detailed illustrations.  Because books are downloaded to the device, they are accessible even without internet access, which is a valuable feature.  The app is still primitive in its feature set and title selection.  In addition, some books, such as OKU 10, already ship with a CD that includes a digital PDF version of the book, which is much easier to read and annotate using any of the popular PDF readers for mobile devices.

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Biolox

CeramTec’s product information app about their line of ceramic hip arthroplasty products with useful animated videos.

For surgeons who already use CeramTec products, or who are interested in learning more about ceramic technology, this app includes a lot of useful information.  Four products are highlighted: the ball, insert, DUO, and OPTION.  Each section includes product information, as well as tips, handling recommendations, brochures, and news.   A number of high quality animations are included and fun to watch.   The app also includes news articles and brochures from the company, which might be useful to some surgeons, but difficult to read on an iPhone.

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Zimmer 411

Zimmer’s product application has beautifully integrated both patient and surgeon information is a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing design that has quickly become one of the lead orthopaedic apps on the market.  Clearly designed to promote information about Zimmer products, the app focuses on Patient Stories, Causes of Pain, Treatment Options, Know When You’re Ready, and Joint Replacement.  The integration of videos, teaching diagrams and illustrations, interactive animations, and peri-operative guidance is unmatched by other orthopaedic implant companies.  One of the strongest features of the app is the combination of patient information as well as “surgeon tools.”  By selecting the surgeon tools drop-down tab, a entirely new library of information becomes available including 3D animations, diagrams, procedure videos, product listings, and x-rays.  Overall, this app is a powerful supplement to any physician performing hip and knee arthroplasty, and especially to those who utilize or want to learn more about Zimmer products.

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Aesculap OrthoPilot USA

This product marketing app demonstrates and educates surgeons about Aesculap’s surgical navigation system.  The app is organized by category: HipSuite, KneeSuite, and SportsMedSuite.  Each section highlights the products available, and a further drill-down menu includes information about special cases, product documents, images, videos, and links.  The app navigation was slow at times, and videos often required extra time to load.  However, the step-by-step guides for using the navigation system could be quite helpful to a surgeon interested in using this device.  Overall, the app includes a few glitches, but is available for free on both iPad and iPhone.

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I.T.S. InfoPoint

This app demonstrates the products made by I.T.S., a medical device company in Austria that develops titanium implants. The app includes many of the features expected from a device company app, including general information, a catalog and description of implants, sub-sections for upper and lower extremities, and a product overview video.  In addition, there is a “fracture classifications” section that assists a surgeon by allowing the user to select a body part from a diagram, then select the fracture pattern – and the app will list the relevant implants.  Selecting on an implant includes typical information such as features, xrays, indications, and a surgical technique PDF.  Overall, many of the features are “empty” and do not include information, and thus the app currently lacks completeness.  Overall, however, this is a great app for surgeons using these devices.

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CCJR Mobile

Based on the Current Concepts in Joint Review (CCJR) live meetings, this app serves as a mobile version of the conference with information about speakers, topics, and the ability to download full videos.  From the home screen, the user can select a talk from an extensive list of speakers and topics (about 125 lectures) from the 2011 Spring meeting.  Selecting a particular lecture includes an abstract summary of the talk, as well as the option to immediately download the full video (WiFi not required).  Most videos appear to be 6 min in length and download in 1-2 minutes using 3G.  The other modules in the app reorganized the data by Topic, as well as by Speaker.  The app also includes a search feature, which appears to only search the titles of individual lectures, but not the associated abstracts.  Overall, there are few negative remarks that one can make about this well-made, well-organized app that offers over 100 brief lectures on relevant topics by leaders in the field. Currently, this app is offered for free, and would be useful to any surgeons, residents, or fellows who perform total joint arthroplasty.  The App Store summary suggests that future updates will offer premium modules with expanded information at a price.

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CARE for Patients

This app and service sets the standard for the future of mobile medicine.  Created by physical therapists, the app is an extension of the CARE subscription service available to surgeons which provides a personalized website and personalized physical therapy/rehabilitation protocols for patients.   The app is incredibly comprehensive by providing information to patients about their surgery, their surgeon, and lists the exercises they should be performing week-by-week after surgery with complete video demonstrations.

The power of this application, however, is a surgeon’s ability to create a fully customizable practice website and personalized app.  Thus, when a patient is enrolled he/she will only see information and post-operative protocols that have been specifically selected by their surgeon.  In essence, the app allows any orthopaedic surgeons to have their own personal app for patients.

The app itself consists of the sections described above.  Pre- and post-operative information is available to patients, and the post-operative physical therapy protocol is clearly organized for patients to reference either at home or at the gym.  Overall, the application has been well implemented and the service is currently being used by various academic and private practices nationwide.

***Special Offer: for surgeons/practices interested in learning more about CARE for Patients™, mention “TopOrthoApps” and receive a 10% discount on any enrollment!***

*Requires enrollment/subscription.  Receive 10% discount by mentioning TopOrthoApps.com!  Find out more here.

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OrthoMeter

OrthoMeter joins a number of apps that utilize the iPhone’s internal accelerometer to conveniently measure clinically relevant angular measurements.  In this case, the app is beautifully designed to assist with the measurements of an angle between two lines, an angle measured from the horizontal, and an angle measured off the vertical.  For the three functions, the images provided suggests arthroplasty functions, such as the distal femoral angle, the alpha angle of the hip, and acetabular cup version, respectively.  The user interface is very simple and intuitive and includes the ability to save and email data for specific patients.  One thing that sets this app apart from other goniometric devices is the elegant interface, as well as the ability to receive the angular results via either a male or female voice.  Unfortunately, at a price of $11.99, this app is somewhat expensive given its limited function and less expensive competitors.  However, for providers that intend to use this app regularly and appreciate the nice design, this may be a good investment.

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KneeDecide

KneeDecide is part of the Orca Health collection of apps that provides information for patients about various orthopaedic conditions.  Like the entire “decide” series, the user interface, graphics, and interactive anatomy modules are superb and allow the user to learn about knee bone, tendon, meniscus, and ligament anatomy while rotating, flexing, and zooming in on the images.  The conditions covered in this app include meniscal tear, ACL tear, MCL injuries, PCL tear, patellofemoral chondrosis, tibiofemoral chondrosis, chondral lesions, advanced arthritis, lateral patellar compression syndrome, patellar dislocation, patellar tendonitis, Osgood-Schlatter disease, iliotibial band syndrome, mechanical disorders, and fractures.  Consistent with the entire line of apps, each disease includes a plethora of xray, MRI, and CT imaging with appropriate annotations demonstrating normal and pathologic conditions.  Audio recordings are also included to narrate the text as well. Like the other apps in this series, users can search for medical providers that treat these conditions.  Overall, KneeDecide is a very impressive addition to the Orca Health “decide” series and has the potential to greatly improve patient education and comprehension about orthopaedic conditions.

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Sigma Knee Replacement

Overall: 5
Functionality: 4
Coolness: 5+

With this app, DePuy has set the new standard in device-sponsored surgeon and patient education apps.  The app quickly earns high marks for a smooth and interactive user interface that utilizes rotating platforms to showcase their five headings: early intervention, primary TKA, revision TKA, high performance instrumentation, and professional education.  Each section is filled with information about different products, and each product is supplemented with information about design features, technique overview and guides, specific and unique advantages of the product, surgical technique guides with videos, and more.   There are some especially cool features, such as the “explore” function in the patellofemoral solutions which uses an animated knee that allows the user to flex/extend the knee at will.  This app is currently the “coolest” app available and for a surgeon who uses DePuy joint replacement products, can be especially useful as well. One limitation is that the app is nearly 700 mb in size, which can take a healthy bite out of your iPad storage.  However, after 20 seconds of playing with this app it becomes obvious why so much memory is required.

Cost:Free
Download Sigma Knee Replacement Here

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FlipChart

Overall: 3+
Functionality: 3
Coolness: 4

This app is created by Stryker as a patient education tool for surgeons using Stryker total hip, total shoulder, and total knee replacement systems.  The app is organized into charts, my charts, and “create a chart.”  The create a chart feature allows the user to add “pins” to the educational image-based slide show to add commentary within the chart.  A pen is also available to mark the background or highlight particular areas of the image.  Once complete, the chart appears in the “my charts” tab for later reference.  Thus, a surgeon could spend some time creating a personalized chart for his/her surgeries and then use that chart to education patients in clinic about what the procedure will entail.  Overall, the user interface is very simple and easy to navigate and the app is well-made.  As a patient education tool, this may be useful for surgeons who have time to explain the details of surgery to patients accompanied by images.

Cost:Free
Download FlipChart Here

inMotion

Overall: 4+
Functionality: 4
Coolness: 5

This app is created by Stryker and is an impressive patient education tool with regard to the two advertised devices: a total knee and a total hip arthroplasty.  What makes this app unique, however, is the integration of computer animation, video, and audio that includes a highly realistic anatomical model with the options to select anatomic structures and make them transparent or hide them during the demonstration.  This is truly the future of medicine.  For example, you might show a patient hip motion after a total hip arthroplasty procedure, and during the video the user can “hide” any overlying muscles or bones to reveal the implant, or you can add them back one-by-one to demonstrate the relative anatomy.  Overall, this app should be downloaded for the coolness factor alone.  It would make a great resource for a waiting room, but of course this is probably most useful to surgeons using Stryker’s products.

Cost:Free
Download inMotion Here

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OpTech Live

Overall: 4
Functionality: 4
Coolness: 2+

This app is part of Stryker’s library of applications and, like other device company apps, provides the user with a library of device and implant user guides.  The interface is well-organized by topic and lists PDF guides according to specialty or body part.  Selecting an item quickly downloads the PDF surgical technique guide which can then be saved in a library on the device (for referencing later) or a link to the document can be emailed.  Browsing for topics is very easy with essentially no delay.  For access to Stryker’s line of technique guides, this app does everything it should.

Cost: Free
Download OpTech Live Here

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DrawMD Orthopedics

Overall: 4+
Functionality: 4
Coolness: 4+

Part of the DrawMD line of apps, these developers have created a novel platform for teaching patients about their medical conditions.  The app is essentially a “scratch pad” for showing patients their disease, demonstrating surgical techniques, and explaining anatomy.  The advantage of the Orthopedics version is that in addition to being able to use a patient’s xrays as your background, the app comes pre-loaded with orthopaedic body parts and orthopaedic “stamps.”  For example, the current version includes images of the knee, shoulder, hip, hands, feet, ankles, forearm, etc.,  as well as stamps that demonstrate cartilage, fractures, plates, screws, and arthroplasty implants (and many more).  The user can mark the image with a pen and make text comments as well.  Once complete, the image can be saved or emailed to a patient with your office information.  This app is a free and novel way to teach patients about their pathology and treatment options in a visual format.

Cost: Free
Download Here

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DASH Learn

Overall: 1 or 4*
Functionality: 1 or 4*
Coolness: 5

Smith & Nephew DASH is a portable surgical navigation system designed to assist surgeons with hip and knee surgery, and the DASH Learn app is a free utility with information about the product, tutorials, troubleshooting tips, and contact information for the company.  The app itself includes a variety of instructional videos and techniques to assist a surgeon who already uses DASH and appear to be quite useful.  However, for someone who is not familiar with the product or not interested in the product, the app would not be useful.  If a surgeon interested in learning more about this system, there is a 2 minute tutorial video from the main start page, however I suspect a similar video could be found elsewhere online or at the product website without having to download the app.  *The asterisk denotes that the functionality is either a 1 (if you do not use the product) or a 4 (if you do use the product).

 Cost: Free
Download Here

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Ortho Scores

Overall: 3-
Functionality: 2
Coolness: 3

This app is ideal for orthopaedic surgeons who routinely keep track of patient outcomes using assessment scores.  The app allows the user to organize a list of patients, contacts, and surgeons – but the “patients” function is clearly the emphasis.  Once entering a patient, the user can then walk through many of the most popular outcomes assessments for the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, foot, ankle, and spine.  These include, but are not limited to, Harris Hip Score, Oxford Hip Score, WOMAC, SF-12, Knee Society Score, Constant Score, DASH, Quick-DASH, and the Oswestry Low Back Pain assessment.  The free version limits the number of patients that can be scored, and the full version allows for unlimited patients, unlimited contacts, and the ability to email the scores. Overall, this can be a very useful tool for both surgeons and patients to monitor outcomes.  Unfortunately, during testing the app was quite “buggy” and frequently crashed when running from my device.  Hopefully future updates will be more stable.

Cost: Free for Lite version, $99.99 for full version.  Spine Scores only for $19.99.
Download the Full Version Here
Download the Lite Version Here
Download Spine Scores Here

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OrthoEvent

Overall: 3+
Functionality: 4
Coolness: 3+

This free app is useful for any orthopaedic practitioner who attends or is planning to attend any orthopaedic-related conference. The app is designed to compile information regarding nearly all professional orthopaedic conferences worldwide, as well as organize conferences according to specialty. Once a conference is selected, the app provides dates, locations, abstract deadlines, and links to meeting websites. The app is limited by the fact that information is inconsistent, and that the majority of the app text is in French with no other languages available. Overall, the application is a creative and very helpful way to search for conferences that you might not otherwise be aware of.

Cost: Free
Download Here

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