Commercial Apps And Fracture Classification Apps

Advanced Orthopaedic Solutions

At the first glance, the app consists only of pretty pictures of cool multi-coloured hardware from different manufacturers with the detailed description of the superior qualities of their products. Among those products (nine in total), there was a Tibial Nail system, installation of which I failed to finish in “Touch Surgery” app.

The interface is very simple: login (required only for sales reps), search tool and “Updates” option. Check for the updates, download all of them, and new options will appear alongside each product. The main sections are: "sales literature"; "surgical technique"; and "regulations "(e.g., FDA approval letters). Ignore all but “surgical technique”. Several animations are available in this section, including the installation procedure, and technique guides in .pdf. Both videos and .pdf files are of excellent quality (I dare say, better than in “Touch Surgery”). Some products (for example “Proximal Humerus Plating System”) have the “X-rays” option which shows a bunch of radiograms from actual surgeries.

Verdict: good information source; surgical technique animations and .pdf files could be used in conjunction with “Touch Surgery”.

Drawbacks: the app depends on updates and requires good internet connection, bulkiness (313 MB)

DJO surgical

This app is similar to “Advanced Ortho- Solution”. Upon installation, it launches an update of the product catalog. The products are limited to the upper extremity, hip and knee devices. Unlike "Advanced Ortho-", it offers no animations of surgical techniques, only files in .pdf.

Verdict: this app is of mostly commercial value; it could be used as a reference guide for teaching purposes

Drawbacks: the app depends on updates and requires good internet connection, bulkiness (345 MB)

Trauma classification at hand

The app is easy to use: tap the area (e.g, forearm) to read an abbreviated version of the most commonly used classifications. There are only a few illustrations of a borderline quality in black and white.

Verdict: the app requires some work in terms of content and graphics.

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Fracture classification (FC)

The app contains several categories (general principles, adult and pediatric trauma, eponyms, labs, surgical approaches, tools).

Adult and pediatric trauma sections are divided by anatomical location (e.g., "upper extremity" or "axial skeleton" with subcategories). All existing classification are presented, with black and white illustration of good quality. A list of references is given at the end of each topic.

The app also includes MESS calculator. (MESS = Mangled Extremity Severity Score; estimates viability of a limb after trauma to determine need for salvage versus amputation).

Verdict: Good reference for trainees of various levels; includes the most common labs and MESS calculator.

This list of apps is not exhaustive by any means. Hopefully, it gives a good idea about types of app designed for orthopods and their patients.