Comparison

AO Surgery Reference vs ISNCSCI Algorithm

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AO Surgery Reference

Access a comprehensive online repository of surgical knowledge for fracture management. It provides detailed guidance on diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare for numerous fracture types, supported by extensive illustrations and expert review.

Highlights
  • 353 fracture types covered
  • 172 surgical approaches
  • 1222 surgical procedures
  • Over 30,000 illustrations
  • Feline, canine, and equine fracture care
  • Powerful search function
Features
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QUICK ONLINE REFERENCE IN CLINICAL LIFE Gain easy access to the award-winning AO Surgery Reference. AO Surgery Reference is an online repository for surgical knowledge. It describes the complete surgical management process from diagnosis to aftercare for all fractures of a given anatomical region, and also assembles relevant material that the AO has published before. It gives access to:   • aid in surgical decision making for 353 fracture types • 172 approaches • 1222 surgical procedures • all richly illustrated with more than 30'000 Illustrations and much more. To ensure the quality of the content, it is authored, edited, and peer reviewed by experienced AO Faculty from all over the world, some of which are also well-known textbook authors/editors. This is a relaunch of the AO Surgery Reference app utilizing the same responsive user interface that was released February 2020. The highlights are: • Consistent navigational logic and user experience on all screen sizes • Inclusion of feline, canine, and equine fracture care • Combination of Preparation – Approach – Reduction and Fixation – Aftercare into one step called treatment. • Introduction of a powerful search function, allowing simplifications of the user interface as it replaces previous shortcuts.

About

ISNCSCI Algorithm

Features
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The ISNCSCI Neurological Assessment Calculator is a tool which utilizes the raw test scores determined by performing the exam to electronically score and classify a spinal cord injury using the ISNCSCI Eighth Edition (Revised 2019) scoring rules. This application’s algorithm is designed to produce a spinal cord injury classification consistent with the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury developed and maintained by, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). Key features include: - Comprehensive ISNCSCI examination workflow - Automated neurological scoring and classification - Offline functionality

Screenshots

AO Surgery Reference4 screens
ISNCSCI Algorithm4 screens

Verdict

The call

AO Surgery Reference and ISNCSCI Algorithm are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AO Surgery Reference ships an update every 6 months, ISNCSCI Algorithm every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
AO Surgery Reference versus ISNCSCI Algorithm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAO Surgery ReferenceISNCSCI Algorithm
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (14 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB10 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperAO FoundationPraxis Spinal Cord Institute

In-app purchases

None

AO Surgery Reference

No in-app purchases

None

ISNCSCI Algorithm

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AO Surgery Reference free?
AO Surgery Reference is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ISNCSCI Algorithm free?
ISNCSCI Algorithm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do AO Surgery Reference or ISNCSCI Algorithm have ads?
Neither AO Surgery Reference nor ISNCSCI Algorithm shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AO Surgery Reference or ISNCSCI Algorithm?
AO Surgery Reference ships an update every 6 months, and ISNCSCI Algorithm every 3 months. Most recently, AO Surgery Reference was updated on October 7, 2026 and ISNCSCI Algorithm on September 22, 2026.

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