JA, they aren’t always the first symptoms to appear or may not be as obvious as others. Parents should make an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor or rheumatologist if their child has symptoms including:
- Soreness or pain in the joints.
- Joint swelling.
- Warmth and inflammation in the joints.
- Swollen fingers and toes.
- Stiffness in the morning after sleeping.
- Reluctance to use an arm or leg.
- Reduced activity.
- Challenges with fine motor activities.
- Persistent, low-grade fever.
- Skin rashes.
- Changes in the finger and toenails.
- Muscle weakness.
- Growth irregularities, including uneven limb development or slow growth.
Some children also develop an eye condition called iridocyclitis, or inflammation of the colored part of the eye. This is a treatable condition, but because it typically doesn’t have any symptoms, it must be diagnosed by an eye doctor during a regular eye exam. If your eye doctor mentions iridocyclitis, further examination by a rheumatologist is needed.
Treating Juvenile Arthritis
Diagnosing and treating JA is vital to preventing or reducing permanent joint damage. In fact, with treatment, most children with JA live normal, healthy, and active lives. Although there is no cure for arthritis (but one of the goals of Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month is to spread awareness and raise money to help find one) with treatment, children can go into remission, meaning there are few, or no symptoms of the disease.
Doctors diagnose JA by checking for physical signs of the disease (rash, joint swelling, pain, limited range of motion) and performing imaging and lab tests to look for signs of joint damage and inflammatory markers, such as specific proteins. Performing multiple tests also helps rule out other potential illnesses, such as Lyme disease.
Treatment takes a multifaceted approach, with the goals of slowing disease progression, relieving symptoms, reducing joint damage and preserving joint function, and reducing the long-term health effects of the disease. Conservative treatment plans incorporate several therapies, including:
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation in the joints.
- Immune suppressing drugs to keep the immune system from attacking the joints.
- Over-the-counter or prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain.
Among non-surgical therapies, exercise is one of the most important treatments for JA. Low-impact activities like swimming, walking, and yoga are typically recommended to help manage stiffness and pain. Children may also receive occupational and physical therapy to help them learn ways to stay active and perform their typical tasks.
Although orthopedists may recommend splints or mobility aids for some children, or develop modifications for certain activities, JA doesn’t keep children from attending school or participating in extracurricular activities. That said, the Juvenile Arthritis Alliance (JAA), part of the Arthritis Foundation, provides support groups, summer camps, and a wealth of JA information and resources for kids and their families.
Staying involved in social activities is vital to maintaining a fulfilling quality of life. JAA notes that maintaining a positive attitude and focusing on what your child can do, rather than the limitations of their condition, is the foundation of treating JA.
South Island Orthopedics and Juvenile Arthritis
Orthopedic surgeons are a vital part of any JA patient’s care team. As experts in joints, muscles, and bones, their expertise can help prevent permanent damage to the joints and preserve their function and mobility into adulthood. In rare cases, a JA patient may require surgery to reposition a joint that’s become deformed. However, joint replacement is typically reserved for adults and seldom performed on children.
The pediatric orthopedic surgeons at South Island Orthopedics are committed to helping young people manage their JA during Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month 2021 and beyond. We are focused on helping all children live healthy, active lives.
If you suspect that your child has any ty