Bone Ninja app as a body image simulation tool for shared decision-making

• Main Authors: Vache Hambardzumyan, John E Herzenberg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal of Limb Lengthening & Reconstruction
• Subjects: body image simulation; decision-making; deformity correction
• Online Access: http://www.jlimblengthrecon.org/article.asp?issn=2455-3719;year=2019;volume=5;issue=2;spage=105;epage=110;aulast=Hambardzumyan

Background: Reconstruction of preoperative digital photographs to simulate surgery outcomes is a common practice in esthetic surgery and is proven to enhance shared decision-making. Methods: We used the Bone Ninja app to visualize postoperative results of limb deformity correction. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to use a body image simulation to predict orthopedic surgery. Results: Two patients decided to undergo surgery only after seeing the postoperative simulation. Two patients reported that the actual postoperative results were identical to the simulation, and one patient said that it was very similar. Conclusion: In the authors' opinion, it is a useful educational tool resulting in lesser decisional conflict and unrealistic expectations, better understanding, and improved satisfaction with results. It also helps surgeons with accurate planning and better judgment regarding esthetics.