Two apps you knee(d) to stay hip.

Knee Pro III app will help orthopedic surgeons with patient education 

Knee Pro III contains a detailed anatomical overview of the knee region and areas slightly superior and inferior. The attention to detail is excellent and there is a huge number of pins marking anatomical structures which provide a comprehensive overview of the knee joint. iMedicalApps

Hip Pro III another impressive specialist NOVA anatomy app from 3D4Medical

Hip Pro III is primarily focused on the anatomy of the hip region and includes the superior portion of the upper leg. The anatomical detail is excellent and the 3D models really do look impressive with the inclusion of small details like subcutaneous fat adding to the overall positive impression. iMedicalApps

Possible Use for Joint Injections? AxoTrack Needle Guidance Ultrasound Probe Unveiled

Basically, AxoTrack allows traditional ultrasound imaging to be coupled with a virtual needle that points the way for the real needle during all kinds of ultrasound-guided procedures, especially central line placements. The company says that “when tested in vitro, an AxoTrack-equipped ultrasound probe resulted in successful vascular access on the first stick and first pass 99.3% of the time versus just 37.1% of the time when compared to the standard freehand method for ultrasound-guided central venous access.” MedGadget

New study shows vast geographic variation in hip fracture risk

An extensive study of country-specific risk of hip fracture and 10-year probability of a major fragility fracture has revealed a remarkably large geographic variation in fracture risk. Even accounting for possible errors or limitations in the source data, there was an astonishing 10-fold variation in hip fracture risk and fracture probability between countries.

'A systematic review of hip fracture incidence and probability of fracture worldwide', authored by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Working Group on Epidemiology and Quality of Life, has today been published in the journal Osteoporosis International. The aim of the study was to update the available information base on the global heterogeneity in the risk of hip fracture. Age-standardised hip fracture rates from 63 countries were compiled. Additionally, the study documents variations in major fracture probability as determined from 45 FRAX models from 40 countries. Eurekalert!

The publication is freely accessible on the Springer website at http://www.springerlink.com/content/r27872850q9t772l/

BUSM study demonstrates tomosynthesis effective in diagnosing knee

 A recent study done by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) shows that tomosynthesis may be more beneficial in diagnosing knee osteoarthritis than X-ray imaging. In the study, which is published online in the journal Radiology, tomosynthesis detected more osteophytes (abnormal bony spurs) and subchondral cysts (small collection of fluid within the bone) in the knee joint than conventional X-ray imaging. Boston University

Thromboembolic events are uncommon following ankle fracture surgery

Thromboembolic events – such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots developing in the extremities; or pulmonary embolism (PE), a complication that causes a blood clot to move to the lungs – can occur following musculoskeletal injury and related surgery, and are potentially life threatening. In "The Incidence of Thromboembolic Events in Surgically Treated Ankle Fracture," a study appearing in the March 21, 2012 issue of the JBJS, researchers sought to determine the frequency of, and potential risk factors for, thromboembolic events following surgical treatment of an ankle fracture. Eurekalert!

Clinical Orthopedic Exam (CORE) app is a great resource for internists and specialists alike

For those of you who didn’t catch Dr. Felasfa Wodajo’s previous review, the Clinical Orthopedic Exam (CORE) app is a multimedia source of over 250 different musculoskeletal physical exam maneuvers. It is indexed by body area in picture and text format, is comprehensive and very well referenced. It’s certainly not your average app.

Each physical exam test is well described and contains a YouTube video link that demonstrates the proper way to perform the test. Of note, the app also includes a synopsis of the statistical validity of the particular test as well as links to scientific references that describe the test. iMedicalApps

Scott Summit: Beautiful artificial limbs

Prosthetics can’t replicate the look and feel of lost limbs but they can carry a lot of personality. At TEDxCambridge, Scott Summit shows 3D-printed, individually designed prosthetic legs that are unabashedly artificial and completely personal -- from macho to fabulous.

Scott Summit uses his 20 years of experience as an industrial designer to make artificial limbs that help people take personal control of these intimate objects. TED Talks

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Orthopedic Surgery: a comparative effectiveness review from AHRQ 13 March 2012

Objectives: This is an evidence report prepared by the University of Connecticut/Hartford Hospital Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) examining the comparative efficacy and safety of prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in major orthopedic surgery (total hip replacement [THR], total knee replacement [TKR], and hip fracture surgery [HFS]) and other nonmajor orthopedic surgeries (knee arthroscopy, injuries distal to the hip requiring surgery, and elective spine surgery).

Data Sources: Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus from 1980 to May 2011 with no language restrictions. (PDF)