OrthoFlow app review, fracture management app for ortho surgeons and ER docs

Review of OrthoFlow App

Imagine you’re the junior resident on call in your hospital for orthopaedic trauma. You just got a call from the ER about a clavicle fracture, but you’ve never been consulted for a clavicle fracture before today. How much shortening is acceptable for nonoperative management? Does displacement matter? Luckily, you remember you have the OrthoFlow app and quickly check the app on your smartphone.

The OrthoFlow app, made by MediFlow Ltd., has a comprehensive set of orthopaedic trauma conditions and general orthopaedic topics designed in “flows” based on user selection through the app. This orthopedic surgery apps format is especially designed for orthopaedic trainees and medical staff learning orthopaedics. The interface is easy to use and the content is high-yield and accurate. Overall, this is an impressive and useful orthopedic surgery app — I wish I had it when I was a junior resident learning trauma orthopaedics!

User Interface

The app opens with a disclaimer and then the homepage. The homepage is a cartoon skeleton which the user touches to localize an upper limb, lower limb, or bare bones topic.

Selecting the Upper Limb location takes you to a list of general body regions. The clavicle has its own section.

Making this selection takes you to a more detailed map of the clavicle where you can select the injured area.

Selecting the middle section then asks you “Yes” and “No” questions about whether the fracture is shortened or displaced. Each fracture type has fracture specific questions like these to help guide care.

Once the user has completed answering the fracture specific questions associated with an injury “flow”, the app has characterized the injury type and then provides recommendations on management and care. In our clavicle example, I selected that it was shortened and displaced. The recommendation is then an operative pathway. The information on the next screen is a great checklist for novice orthopaedic healthcare workers to ensure they are getting the appropriate tests and procedures.

The app even breaks down the treatment recommendation into the risks and benefits associated with surgery.

Beyond just the basic trauma flows, the app also has a “Bare Bones” section which covers some great general orthopaedic topics. How to describe fractures to orthopaedic specialists and the section on screw types were particularly useful. The app does not provide operative instruction or detailed anatomy drawings of approaches. The OrthoFlow app seems to be especially useful for junior residents or students on an orthopedics service caring for these patients or preparing to present patients at a trauma board meeting. It could also be useful for physicians in other specialties, like emergency medicine or family practice, who may encounter these patients and need to discuss cases with remotely located surgeons.

Healthcare workers that would benefit from the app

Any healthcare worker learning or starting to care for orthopaedic patients, especially initial management of trauma patients.