Digital photography in orthopaedic surgery

Digital photography has become a practical alternative to film photography for documentation, communication, and education about orthopaedic problems and treatment, Digital cameras may be used to document preoperative and pos toperative condition, intraoperative findings, and imaging studies. Digital photographs are captured on the charged coupler device (CCD) of the camera , and processed as digital data. Images may be immediately viewed on the li quid crystal display (LCD) screen of the camera and reshot if necessary. Ph otographic image files may be stored in the camera in a floppy diskette, Co mpactFlash(TM) card, or SmartMedia card, and transferred to a computer. The images may be manipulated using photo-editing software programs, stored on media such as Zip(TM) disks or CD-R discs, printed, and incorporated into digital presentations. The digital photographs may be transmitted to others using electronic mail (e-mail) and Internet web sites. Transparency film s lides may be converted to digital format and used in digital presentations. Despite the initial expense to obtain the required hardware, major cost sa vings in film and processing charges may be realized over time compared wit h film photography.