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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OrthoEvidence

Mobile access to OrthoEvidence, including a reading list and full ACE reports

OrthoEvidence is a new app that complements existing subscriptions to the OrthoEvidence product.  For more information, please see www.MyOrthoEvidence.com.  The premise of the platform is to provide “ACE” reports (Advanced Clinical Evidence Report) and improve evidence-based practice.  The app is an extension of the website and is very well designed and easy to use.

After logging in, the app has a home screen where recently added articles are populated in chronological order.  However, the menu allows for easy sorting by specialty as well.  When an article looks interesting to the reader, a quick “left swipe” allows for the option to add to reading list or add to favorites.  In this way, the user can easily scan new articles and select which ones should be saved for future review.  When ready to read, the reading and favorite lists are easy to access and list the selected articles. Impressively, the iPhone and iPad version sync with each other and selected readings on one device become available on the other (ie: select articles while “on the go” with your iPhone, but read them at a later time on your iPad). With one tap the ACE reports becomes immediately available.  For those who use OE, the ACE report has the same familiar appearance and includes links to the full text article (if available), a PubMed link, graphical representations of the Risk of Bias and Reporting score, and the synopsis and summary.  Added features include the ability to comment, rate the paper, and share via Facebook, Twitter, or Email.  The app also includes a robust search feature which includes a simple search (keyword) and advanced options (filter by date, score, bias, verification, or selected journals).  It is clear that the developers have taken every effort to create and intuitive, easy, and efficient app to complement their existing website.

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JBJS Journals

Tablet access to all four JBJS titles.

One of the leading orthopaedic journals, JBJS, has released a fully-functional app for searching and reading content from their four journals: The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, JBJS Reviews, JBJS Case Connector, and JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques. The app includes the functionality that would be expected of any comparable journal app: the ability to select articles, view full-text or PDF versions, search for articles or search within articles for terms, select favorites, and share articles with colleagues.  A nice feature includes the option to “Open in…” another program, allowing for easy download and transfer of PDFs into a personal archiving system or into an annotation app for future review.  The app is simple and easy to navigate without many bells and whistles.  The version I reviewed only has the current journal editions available, but hopefully archive data will be available in future.

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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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Current Orthopaedic Practice Journal

Mobile access to the Current Orthopaedic Practice Journal

This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

*Requires subscription for full text access

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HAND Journal

A journal app for the Hand Journal.

This is a journal app for Hand. Unfortunately, the app requires a personal login for access. Thus, a detail review cannot be provided at this time.

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JBJS Reviews

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery has added a new publication to their portfolio. JBJS Reviews is a dedicated online journal meant to publish clinical information in a mobile/web based format. As a result JBJS has created a new app meant to serve as the platform through which JBJS Reviews will be presented to mobile readers. JBJS’s  app has an easy to use interface that allows readers to search, create favorites and follow recent articles they have looked up. In addition, while I commonly give Journals a difficult time for using an inferior pdf viewer to read articles. JBJS Reviews allows the reader to download the pdf and read the article in any pdf viewer of their choosing. The interface to read the articles is a little buggy as buttons overlap one another. Hopefully with the next version of this app they will improve the article viewing options. Overall, a well made app that will definitely be used by the readership of the JBJS.

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https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jbjs-reviews/id787553942?mt=8

AJSM (American Journal of Sports Medicine)

Mobile Access to the American Journal of Sports Medicine

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) has done an excellent job producing another of its reputable journals onto a mobile platform. The American Journal of Sports Medicine app has allowed journal subscribers with easy- to-use access of the magazine in app form. The app has many advanced features such as searching for relevant topics within all issues of the publication, allowing users to save favorite articles and sharing journal articles easily through email. These up-to-date app features makes this app an excellent tool on the iPhone and iPad. In addition, the AJSM has started to build video and audio content which can become an important educational tool for viewers in the future. My only criticism that I made with other apps from the AOSSM is the reader software used to view the journal articles is slightly clunk and doesn’t allow you to make notes or easily manipulate the journal articles. However, once the developers build more video and audio content into the app it will quickly become a must have for anyone in the field.

Overall a very useful Journal application with advanced app features.

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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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Sports Health-HD

Mobile access to Sports Health publication

This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  The key feature, however, is the integration of links among the table of contents, emailing links, posting to twitter and facebook, and hopefully the future integration of digital media.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

*Requires subscription for full text access

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Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics – British

Mobile access to the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (British)

The Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (British) is part of a series of digital journal conversions by Wolters Kluwer.  This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  The key feature, however, is the integration of links among the table of contents, emailing links, posting to twitter and facebook, and hopefully the future integration of digital media.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

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Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics – American

Mobile access to the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (American)

The Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (American) is part of a series of digital journal conversions by Wolters Kluwer.  This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  The key feature, however, is the integration of links among the table of contents, emailing links, posting to twitter and facebook, and hopefully the future integration of digital media.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

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Orthopaedic Nursing Journal

Mobile access to the orthopaedic nursing journal.

The Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing is part of a series of digital journal conversions.  This simple, intuitive, and sleek app allows users to download complete issues of the journal and browse full articles.  The app is organized into the “library” – which shows all journal issues – and the “viewer” – where journals can be read.  The journal is presented in entirety, including the table of contents and advertisements.  The key feature, however, is the integration of links among the table of contents, emailing links, posting to twitter and facebook, and hopefully the future integration of digital media.  Currently, the app and journals are offered for free, however a subscription will likely be required in the future. For now, though, download the app and benefit from this fantastic resource.

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Orthopedics Today Healio

Mobile Access to the Orthopaedics Today Magazine

This is a good mobile version of the Orthopaedics Today. The app updates with the latest and most recent articles within different topics of orthopaedics daily. While this app lacks a search option and the ability to find to find old articles, it does allows you to star favorite articles and is trying to build a video library of expert talks in the field.

Overall a good app for a useful magazine.

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Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine

Mobile Access to Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine has done an excellent job in advancing it’s journals into mobile platforms. With the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine they have provided unrestricted open access to full text in an easy-to-use format. The articles are available for download and can be viewed through the mobile app.  This app does an excellent job giving the reader up-to-date app features: search function to find journal articles, share articles to peers via email, and easily save articles to a favorite’s folder. My only criticism reading the journal articles is slightly clunk and doesn’t allow you to make notes or easily manipulate the journal articles.

Overall a very useful Journal application with advanced app features.

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Orthopaedics Today Europe

Mobile access to the Orthopaedics Today Europe magazine.

This app is a very good mobile version of the Orthopaedics Today Europe magazine.  The app includes full access to new and old issues, including options to download the document to the device or view online.  There are nice features such as a robust search option, as well as ways to share the content via email.  Overall, a very good mobile adaptation of a useful magazine.

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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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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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JBJS ImageQuiz

Full-featured app including JBJS Image Quiz case reports, questions, images, and discussion about the case, the pathology, and appropriate treatment.

This app provides access to JBJS’s bi-monthly “Image Quizzes” that appear in the printed journal.  The app is well-designed and easy to navigate. All cases are presented in thumbnail format and, as of writing, the current version includes 54 cases.  Each case includes 3 sections: Question, Answer, and Discussion.  The question section includes a detailed case history as well as a number of relevant images which load quickly and clearly on the iPad.  The “quiz” appears to the left of the screen with a single question and multiple-choice options.  Interestingly, the user has the option of choosing “how others chose” to see the answers selected by other quiz takers.  This can be done either before or after making your own selection.  Once an answer is submitted, the user automatically advances to the “answer” section if correct, and is presented with a brief explanation.  Selecting “learn more in the discussion,” provides a more thorough explanation of the disease process and relevant clinical pearls.    Overall, the app is very clear and runs smoothly on the device.  At a price of $0.99, the app is somewhat of an enigma.  To those who already subscribe to JBJS, it seems odd that the journal would charge for access to these cases. While, for those who do not currently have a subscription, $0.99 for unlimited clinical cases and explanations is a phenomenal value.

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Bone and Joint

Full-featured app for reviewing and sharing JBJS (British), Bone & Joint Research, and Bone & Joint 360.

The British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery has also leapt into the mobile world with Bone and Joint, an iPad and iPhone app for viewing their collection of publications: The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (British), Bone & Joint Research, and Bone & Joint³⁶⁰. The app is available for free, however the full text version requires either a personal subscription or institutional access.  The reading pane includes a sidebar for browsing the current or previous issue organized by table of contents.  When an article is selected, the user can either view “abstract” or “full text.”  The full-text version appears in a condensed format, with tables and figures accessible via direct links.  In addition, all references can be directly tapped to link directly to the abstract.  The user can also choose to “download PDF” which opens the document with options for full screen viewing as well as sharing.  The share feature is surprisingly functional: the app generates an email that attaches the full-text PDF article.  Other features contained within the app include the ability to view only images and figures, select articles as favorites, full-text search capabilities, and history browsing.  All three journals named above are viewed in the same format, however users only have access to journals that are specifically included in their personal or institutional access.  Overall, very smooth integration of multiple journals and institutional access.  The ability to directly attach PDF articles to emails is a very useful feature.

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EBSS.live

An orthopaedic spine trauma literature search tool for finding articles about spine surgery, full abstracts, and levels of evidence.

AO Foundation has created a unique and useful tool that is a great resource for residents, students,  and orthopaedic surgeons alike who perform spine surgery.  The app is organized by subtopic: Trauma, Tumor, Deformity, Degeneration, Infection, and Metabolic/Inflammatory/Genetic spine diseases.  In total, the app includes over 3800 peer-reviewed clinical articles applicable to spine surgery.  The user can also search by key word, and can presumably find relevant articles related to very specific topics.  The search algorithm appears to apply to the title, as well as the abstract.  In addition, the app easily identifies the level of evidence for each article, provides the full abstract, and links to the Pubmed abstract.  Overall, while smart phones are typically not the platform of choice to browse the literature, this app is certainly worth a look.

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Traumaline

An orthopaedic trauma literature search tool organized by body part and published by the AO foundation to organize peer-review articles and evaluate levels of evidence.

AO Foundation has created a unique and useful tool that is a great resource for residents, students,  and orthopaedic surgeons alike.  Organized by body part (with a familiar appearance to those who use the AO Surgery app), this app has classified over 5500 peer-reviewed articles applicable to the treatment of orthopaedic fractures.  The user can search by body part as well as key word, and can presumably find relevant articles related to specific trauma topics.  The search algorithm appears to apply to the title, as well as the abstract.  In addition, the app easily identifies the level of evidence for each article, provides the full abstract, and links to the Pubmed abstract.  Overall, while smart phones are typically not the platform of choice to browse the literature, this app is certainly worth a look.

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Orthopaedic Surgery Board Review Manual

This app is a journal reader for issues of the Orthopaedic Surgery Board Review Manual by Hospital Physician. At the time of review (March 2012), the app includes 6 issues: Patellofemoral Pain, Thermal Injuries in the Extremities, Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head, etc.  Each “issue” reads like a regular journal with advertisements, a table of contents, and full journal contents.  However, because each issue is on a single topic, the contents include an introduction, anatomy, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, etc.  The app is clear, quick, and easy to navigate.  The articles are easy to read and include a plethora of useful information.  Although it is not clear whether this will remain free in the future – it is currently available at no cost and supported by advertising.

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Knee Pain

Knee Pain is an app “course” created by Dr. Eric Gozna to teach his mnemonic for the 10 most common sources of knee pain: “four thought” on the knee.  The app is actually a narrated slideshow format that auto-advances through 55 slides of informational slides that include descriptions of the anatomy, as well as information about the pathology, the presentation, the diagnosis and treatment.  Some slides include video examples of a clinical exam, and some slides include review questions to reinforce concepts and lessons.  The concept of the app is novel.  Dr. Gozna’s credentials are listed on the site (an orthopaedic surgeon in Canada), however the information presented may be more credible if endorsed by an orthopaedic society.  Overall, the presentation is clear and may be most useful to students, non-orthopaedic providers, or patients interested in learning more about knee pain in a community-based practice.

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Tumorpedia Soft Tissue

This app is the “Soft Tissue” version in the Tumorpedia series, a collection of apps that serve as an encyclopedia of orthopaedic oncology.  This version includes over 14 orthopaedic soft tissue tumors.  Each topic is divided into general information, incidence and demographics, xrays, MRI, CT, pathology, differential diagnosis, and treatment.  The amount of information presented for each topic is variable, but generally a specific and informative overview of the topic is included.  The images are especially useful for demonstrating “typical” appearances on imaging exams and pathologic specimens.   The app also includes an “updated” feature, suggesting that the database may undergo regular updates in the future.  It appears that images are downloaded in real-time from a server, thus the app is of limited use when no WiFi or wireless data signal is available. As a result, some of the images did not load during my testing.  Overall, this series of orthopaedic tumor information is an inexpensive and useful reference for orthopaedic trainees, nurses, and other medical providers who diagnose and treat musculoskeletal tumors.  Because this is a first version, hopefully future versions will be available with improved functionality.

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Tumorpedia Lite

This app is the free version in the Tumorpedia series, a collection of apps that serve as an encyclopedia of orthopaedic oncology based on www.bonetumor.org.  This version includes a selected collection of 28 orthopaedic tumors.  Each topic is divided into general information, incidence and demographics, xrays, MRI, CT, pathology, differential diagnosis, and treatment.  The amount of information presented for each topic is variable, but generally a specific and informative overview of the topic is included.  The images are especially useful for demonstrating “typical” appearances on imaging exams and pathologic specimens.   The app also includes an “updated” feature, suggesting that the database may undergo regular updates in the future.  Overall, this series of orthopaedic tumor information is a useful reference for orthopaedic trainees, nurses, and other medical providers who diagnose and treat musculoskeletal tumors.

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Tumorpedia Foot and Ankle

This app is the “Foot and Ankle” version in the Tumorpedia series, a collection of apps that serve as an encyclopedia of orthopaedic oncology based on www.bonetumor.org.  This version includes 23 orthopaedic foot and ankle tumors.  Each topic is divided into general information, incidence and demographics, xrays, MRI, CT, pathology, differential diagnosis, and treatment.  The amount of information presented for each topic is variable, but generally a specific and informative overview of the topic is included.  The images are especially useful for demonstrating “typical” appearances on imaging exams and pathologic specimens.   The app also includes an “updated” feature, suggesting that the database may undergo regular updates in the future.  It appears that images are downloaded in real-time from a server, thus the app is of limited use when no WiFi or wireless data signal is available. As a result, some of the images did not load during my testing.  Overall, this series of orthopaedic tumor information is an inexpensive and useful reference for orthopaedic trainees, nurses, and other medical providers who diagnose and treat musculoskeletal tumors.  Because this is a first version, hopefully future versions will be available with improved functionality.

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Tumorpedia Espanol

This app is the “Espanol” version in the Tumorpedia series, a collection of apps that serve as an encyclopedia of orthopaedic oncology based on www.bonetumor.org.  This version includes over 100 orthopaedic tumors with complete information in Spanish.  Each topic is divided into general information, incidence and demographics, xrays, MRI, CT, pathology, differential diagnosis, and treatment.  The amount of information presented for each topic is variable, but generally a specific and informative overview of the topic is included.  The images are especially useful for demonstrating “typical” appearances on imaging exams and pathologic specimens.   The app also includes an “updated” feature, suggesting that the database may undergo regular updates in the future.  It appears that images are downloaded in real-time from a server, thus the app is of limited use when no WiFi or wireless data signal is available. As a result, some of the images did not load during my testing.  Overall, this series of orthopaedic tumor information is an inexpensive and useful reference for orthopaedic trainees, nurses, and other medical providers who diagnose and treat musculoskeletal tumors.  Because this is a first version, hopefully future versions will be available with improved functionality.

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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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Medscape

Medscape is a familiar name among physicians, and their well-designed app extends the functionality of their website into a mobile format.  Using the same login (free), users are provided with headlines based on their selected specialty.  For example, when logged in as “orthopaedics” the headlines include information about metal-on-metal hips, PPI and hip fracture risk, and an article on orthopaedic surgery rates – all headlines link to a full article and include audio or video, if available. The app is then divided into three sections.  The News icon expands upon the headline articles and are specific to your specialty. The Reference icon includes information about drugs, diseases & conditions, procedures, and more. The third icon is Education, includes CME approved articles which can be used to earn CME credit.  The Reference section can be especially useful; articles are incredibly detailed about a broad spectrum of orthopaedic conditions and are written by professionals in the field with references provided.  In addition, the Musculoskeletal Procedures section has an impressive collection of common orthopaedic techniques, such as splinting and joint/tendon injections.  The content of the Medscape app is an expansive collection of free information that would be useful to any provider.  The only challenge is how to find what you’re looking for.  Thankfully, the app has a great search functionality which is both accurate and incredibly fast.  Overall, the app is highly recommended for any provider, and by registering as an orthopaedic surgeon online, the news headlines become even more relevant.

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Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics

Campbell’s is the first orthopaedic text book that has transitioned to the digital age!  The app is not the complete 4-volume text, rather this is “core techniques,” which includes brief summaries of 242 common surgical and bedside procedures accompanied by images and videos.   The app is divided into the four volumes of the full book with their corresponding subheadings.  For example, the app includes 26 surgical approaches, such as removal of iliac bone graft, anterolateral approach to the humerus, and z-plasty.  Most descriptions are brief with 2-5 images, and would serve as a “refresher” for a senior resident or surgeon familiar with a procedure, or as an introduction for a medical student or junior resident who needs a quick orientation before a case.  However, in addition to the many brief entries, some topics are reviewed completely with 20-30 images and videos up to 15-20 minutes in length.  These videos are incredibly detailed and review how to perform full surgical procedures.  Examples of “complete” entries with videos and images include femoral nailing, ACL reconstruction, SLAP repair, rotator cuff repair, chevron osteotomy, compartment syndrome fasciotomy, shoulder hemiarthroplasty, and carpal tunnel release – I counted a total of 23 videos within the app.  Unlike many other apps that offer videos, all media is completely contained within this app and downloaded to the device, which explains the download size of over 800mb, but also has the great benefit of full access 100% of the time (i.e. review surgical techniques on an airplane).  Lastly, the app has a very good search feature that scans all topic titles and text within the app.
Overall, Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics is the first orthopaedic text to “go digital” with an incredibly useful reference app that is ideal for junior orthopaedic surgery residents.  Although considered an expensive app at $100, compare this to list price of nearly $800 for the 4-volume print version. Of course, the app is not the complete text, but is most useful to trainees who may frequently use the app as a “refresher” between operative cases.  The interface is well designed, the images and text are clear, and the search function is invaluable.  In addition, consider that the purchase price includes ownership for life with all associated updates.  Campbell’s is a very highly recommended app for those who can afford it.

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SportsMed

SportsMed joins the series of RSS-feed apps to organize sports medicine-related abstracts into a single app.  Like other apps in this series (BoneFeed, BoneCast, HandFeed), the user can personalize which RSS feeds are presented along the home row from a list of feeds included with the app.  For SportsMed, the list includes AJSM, Arthroscopy, Sports Med Arthr, Brit J Sports Med, and a variety of other feeds.  The feeds allow the user to review an abstract, view the full text article directly from the journal website (if you have online access), post comments, or share the paper via Twitter, Facebook, or email.  Overall, this app is a simple and intuitive way to keep up-to-date with the latest sports publications.

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JBJS Br Abstract Manager

This app is certainly a step in the right direction for peer-reviewed journals by allowing surgeons to search for and access content on their mobile devices.  The app continues to evolve into a more robust and usable form that suffers from occasional glitches.  The menu allows the user to browse abstracts in each journal edition and search for content using “watch words” or standard author/title/year/abstract search techniques.  The abstracts worked well for me, and allow for a review as well as the option to email the abstract to a colleague. However, the watch-word functionality was not working properly.  Once the kinks have been worked out, this may be a very useful app depending on how easy it will be for users to view and download material.  Until then, consider using other RSS feed apps, such as BoneFeed, to access the same content.

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BoneCast

From the same makers of Bone Feed and Hand Feed, two apps that present RSS text feeds, this app is the cool older brother than instead summarizes and presents audio feeds (podcasts) and video feesd (vodcasts) from the most popular orthopaedic sources.  This includes JBJS Am, JBJS Br, AOSSM, Brit J Sp Med, HSS Ortho and others.  The app allows you to stream high-quality video and audio directly to your device with a nearly non-existent lag or delay, depending on your internet connection speed.  Functionally, this app is limited by the fact that podcasts usually require you to insert headphones to adequately listen to the presentation; however the fact that you can stream orthopaedic video directly to your device is certainly going to “wow” your colleagues.

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Hand Feed

Similar to its close relatives, BoneFeed and SportsMed, this app is an RSS reader for orthopaedic hand-related publications.  The user can customize the feeds that are presented, including JHS American, JHS European, Hand Clinics, Techniques in Hand, JBJS Br Upper Extremity, HAND, and others.  The feeds allow the user to review an abstract, view the full text article directly from the journal website (if you have online access), post comments, or share the paper via Twitter, Facebook, or email.  Overall, this app is a simple and intuitive way for hand surgeons to keep up-to-date with the latest publications 24-hours a day.

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Acta Orthopaedica Journal

Overall: 4+
Functionality: 4
Coolness: 4+

Acta Orthopaedica (previously Acta Orthopaedica  Scandinavica) is the first orthopaedic journal to have developed a fully-functional mobile app utility with 100% read capability.  The app does everything one might expect from a journal app, and is even more impressive because the journal is a non-profit, Open Access journal.  Thus, all content is completely free of cost.  The app allows for access to archives as early as 1930 and allows the user to download and read the full PDF article literally within seconds.  The only missing function that would be useful is the ability to search articles.  Of course, this could be done through Google Scholar or Pubmed, but integration in the app would be an obvious enhancement.  Among its other useful features includes direct links to Google Scholar to see how many citations an article has, as well as the ability to view “Early Online” articles that may not yet be PubMed indexed.

Cost: Free
Download for iPhone Here
Download for iPad Here

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BoneFeed

Similar to its close relatives, HandFeed and SportsMed, this app is an RSS reader for orthopaedic-related publications.  The user can customize the feeds that are presented, including JBJS-Am, JBJS-Br, CORR, JHS-Am, Spine, JPO, and many more.  The feeds allow the user to review an abstract, view the full text article directly from the journal website (if you have online access), post comments, or share the paper via Twitter, Facebook, or email.  Overall, this app is a simple and intuitive way for orthopaedic surgeons to keep up-to-date with the latest publications 24-hours a day.

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AO Surgery Reference

Overall: 4+
Functionality: 4
Coolness: 3+

Created by AO and released in No­vember 2010, the AO Surgery Refer­ence app has set the bar for orthopae­dic reference apps. The data mirrors information which has been previ­ously existed at www.aosurgery.org but is formatted specifically for the smartphone. The app has an intuitive interface that walks the user through the diagnosis, decision process, prepa­ration, surgical approach, reduction, fixation, and aftercare of fractures. Additional information can be found by selecting the “info” icon next to an option, and reference articles are provided on every page. Some of the most valuable aspects, in addition to the text, are the abundance of images demonstrating fracture patterns, pa­tient positioning, and anatomy/surgi­cal approaches. Ideally, this app can serve as a quick reference while treat­ing a patient or prior to a surgery when no other references are available for review. The greatest limitation to this app is that all data is pulled from the internet in real-time, and thus a data connection (3G or WiFi) is required for the app to function. In addition, some fractures are still not available, but the app suggests that future updates will be included.

Cost: Free
Download Here

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