What Parents Should Know About Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation in joints. It comprises of over 100 conditions which cause pain, swelling and stiffness. As joints play an important role in your movement, arthritis may also pose a restriction on it. Do you suspect your child has a similar condition? Read more about juvenile arthritis so you are better equipped to help him or her.

What is juvenile arthritis?

Juvenile arthritis is a term used for arthritic condition in children. A 2008 report shows prevalence of arthritis in 294,000 children from ages 0 to 17. Although the condition is more common in adults, children may also develop different types of arthritis. However, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common condition found in children.

It is important that kids with symptoms of arthritis are diagnosed early. Treatment is possible but if left unchecked, it can result in serious and irreversible side effects.

Signs and symptoms of juvenile arthritis

Although there are various symptoms associated with juvenile arthritis, these are also common for other disorders. Hence, the diagnosis is based on exclusion, that is, every other disorder is ruled out first. Following are the symptoms which are associated with this condition and must be reported to a physician for further diagnosis:

Stiffness in morning: Children move slowly or limp after waking up. Their movement seems constricted and children are unwilling to walk or crawl.

Swollen joints: Knee and elbow joints are swollen, warm and tender.

Other: Other symptoms include high fever, skin rash, weight loss, fatigue and lack of appetite. Slowed activity level can also be associated with this condition.

Diagnosing the condition in your child

Physicians diagnose the condition by considering a combination of factors.

Physical examination takes place and family history is factored in. Children with a family history of juvenile arthritis or autoimmune disorders are more likely to develop the condition.

Type of symptoms, as well as length of time for which the symptoms have persisted, both are taken into consideration. These symptoms should be present for at least 6 weeks to establish the diagnosis for juvenile arthritis.

Laboratory test may be done. However, they alone do not confirm a diagnosis. Blood tests and X-rays may be performed.

Therapy and treatment both may be employed to treat the condition. In addition to medical treatment, several people also use complementary pain management services such as those offered by a louisville chiropractor. Consult with a chiropractor in Louisville for further information on how to manage arthritic pain.