To assist medical professionals in treating musculoskeletal pain, CORE (Clinical ORthopedic Exam) iPhone app is now introduced. Diagnosis is one of the most important step towards its treatment and management.
Clinicians can now access medical iPhone software that will present clinical tests based on body region and condition. The application supports diagnosis and clinical decision-making based on evidence-supported principles.
“Management of musculoskeletal symptoms from back-related conditions and osteoarthritis alone cost over $250 billion to manage each year, a price that is not expected to decrease any time soon,” said Dan Rhon, chief operating officer of Clinically Relevant Technologies. The prevalence of these conditions is expected to grow significantly over the next 10 years.”
“In some conditions, the clinical exam has been shown to have equal or higher diagnostic strength then an X-ray or MRI. In many cases performing these tests adequately and in their correct context can limit the need for further diagnostic tests such as MRI and xray. There are many clinical tests for diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions, but they vary in sensitivity for ruling in and out pathology. A clinician needs to weight the results of different tests uniquely and with perspective to the individual patient sitting in front of them. With new research emerging often, it can be challenging to stay up to date,” he continued.
The CORE app is inclusive of around 250 tests that are used for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal pathology. The medical iPhone app reads the instructions for performing the test as described by the test authors. Further, video demonstration to supplement the written instructions can be viewed. The ‘test properties’ section allows users to evaluate diagnostic properties like the possibility ratios that helps clinicians to rule in or rule out a certain condition based on sound evidence-based principles.
The diagnostic properties are supported by a PUBMed linked reference. It seems that this app will lend a helping hand to clinical practitioners.