Given its ubiquity, arthritis is a condition that is widely dealt with in the smartphone sphere, meaning that your patients have a number of exciting apps to choose from in terms of the daily management of their condition.

3 amazing arthritis management apps

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In addition to the use of fantastic new platforms such as orthopedics emr software, telemedicine technologies and patient portals, it's in the best interest of your orthopedic practice to promote the use of smartphone apps among your patient population. Countless smartphone apps are now available which allow patients to manage and take control of their personal healthcare. From more general apps which target diet and exercise to more specific platforms which address the daily management of chronic conditions, smartphone apps are changing healthcare for the better by bolstering patient engagement, which in turn can improve outcomes.

One chronic condition that many patients at your orthopedic practice likely experience is arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis can take over 100 different forms, but generally speaking it is a chronic pain condition that targets the joints and/or the surrounding tissue. Symptoms include swelling, stiffness and often extreme pain. The condition tends to impact elderly patients in much higher numbers. The source noted that well over 60 percent of arthritis patients are older than 65. With that said, some forms of arthritis, particularly those engendered by injury, can develop at any age. 

Given its ubiquity, arthritis is a condition that is widely dealt with in the smartphone sphere, meaning that your patients have a number of exciting apps to choose from in terms of the daily management of their condition.

Check out the list below of three of the best arthritis management apps:

1. @Hand: Rheumatology Checklist
Rheumatoid arthritis is a particularly painful form of the condition, and unlike osteoarthritis, which is characterized by a breakdown of cartilage in the joints over time, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition wherein the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue, the CDC detailed. Treatment options can be limited and complex, which is where the @Hand: Rheumatology Checklist app can prove most useful, Healthline observed. The app provides comprehensive information about the condition and lists all of the treatment options currently available. The app is available on iPhone and costs $38.99.

2. MyRA
Another great app for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the MyRA app allows patients to make detailed reports about their symptoms. The information can then be sent to and shared with orthopedic specialists, the Rheumatology Network detailed. The app is available on all apple products, including the iPhone and iPad.

3. Track + React
In addition to medication and other therapies, arthritis pain can be more effectively managed by maintaining a healthy diet and getting a reasonable amount of exercise. New app Track + React can help arthritis patients stay in control of their healthy lifestyles. Arthritis-Health reported that the app allows users to collect data about an array of lifestyle factors, such as amount of sleep, food consumed, daily exercise amounts and so on. The app then produces reports about an individual's lifestyle. The source noted that the app is particularly useful as an indication of what kinds of lifestyle activities may or may not be contributing to the severity of pain experienced.