Apps from orthopedic specialty societies continue to emerge

Issue: September 2013

ByOrrin I. Franko, MD

ByMatthew J. DiPaola, MD

In this column, we will highlight a few apps published within the last year that may be beneficial to our readers.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has released three apps this year. AAOS Code-X Lite 2013 provides mobile coding access for those who already use the Code-X software. For those who already use the mobile app (initially released in 2011), the interface now includes relative value unit information in addition to CPT and ICD-9 codes. The app includes a simple search function or allows you to advance through menus beginning with CPT code or body site.

The AAOS has also started releasing joint-specific exam applications, starting with AAOS Musculoskeletal Exam Shoulder and AAOS Musculoskeletal Exam Knee. Both apps are designed to assist with physical exam techniques with the assistance of video demonstrations for inspection and palpation, muscle testing, range of motion and special tests. The app includes text descriptions of the tests, as well as references and reliability information. The app would be most useful to students, trainees and physician-extenders.

The release of digital goniometers continues to be popular for application developers. The validity of these apps has been proven in the peer-review literature. A search for “goniometer” or “scoliometer” in the app store will quickly return a plethora of apps that all essentially perform the same function.

Matthew DiPaola

Orrin I. Franko

Orthopedic specialty societies are also recognizing the use of apps to assist with annual conferences, member education and publications. New apps include the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine Self Assessment Exam, British Orthopaedic Association, American Journal of Sports Medicine and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. If you subscribe to an orthopedic society or publication, or attend a conference, be sure to check for a mobile app that you may want to use.

Lastly, we continue to observe the development of practice-specific apps. These apps are created for specific orthopedic groups, clinics or hospitals as a patient education tool. These apps typically include information about practice location, physicians, news, contact information, ability to make an appointment, and some include preoperative and postoperative instructions. If you have not already done so, we recommend exploring the idea of a practice app to increase your mobile and social medial footprint.

For more information:

Matthew DiPaola, MD, is an assistant professor and shoulder and elbow specialist in the Department of Orthopedics at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He is a writer for iMedical Apps and co-founder of Touch Consult, a developer of team-based medical software to improve signout. He can be reached at matthew.dipaola@wrightstatephysicians.org.
Orrin I. Franko, MD, is a PGY5 orthopedic resident at UC San Diego. He has an interest in promoting mobile technology within orthopedic surgery and founded the website www.TopOrthoApps.com to help surgeons and trainees find the most relevant orthopedic apps for their mobile devices. He can be reached at orrin@toporthoapps.com.
Disclosures: DiPaola and Franko have no relevant financial disclosures.