Arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. It describes more than 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. Read more about arthritis.
Arthritis apps have the potential to help you manage your condition better. They can help you keep track your symptoms and triggers and monitor or set reminders for your medicines. However, it's important not to rely on the app for a diagnosis. Here are some tips on how to use arthritis apps safely.
How to use arthritis apps safely
Do (✔)
- Always use arthritis apps under the supervision of a healthcare provider so they can guide you on whether the app is suitable for your needs and can direct you to which exercises are appropriate for your condition.
- Use an app to keep track of your symptoms as part of your management plan. Use graphs and reporting for a discussion with your healthcare provider.
- Be careful when reading information on discussion boards or group chat rooms. Some apps have interactive features where users can share their experiences. Be cautious because in most cases these aren't monitored by a health professional so the advice or suggestions may not be safe or effective.
- Know when to seek help.
Don’t (✘)
- Don't rely on apps to make a diagnosis of your condition.
- Don't perform exercises without first seeking medical and professional diagnosis and instruction on which exercises in which app to use.
- Don't make changes to your medicines based on recommendations from the app.
