Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Symptoms and Treatments

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of arthritis in children where the body tissues are attacked by immune system which in turn results into the inflammation of joints.

Some Facts about JIA (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis)

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis occur in children younger than 16 years of age
More girls than boys get affected by this disease.
Children in the group of 2 to 3 years are at the higher risk
It is an autoimmune disorder; means, body’s own immune system attacks tissues in the joint
In some cases JIA can cause significant joint tissue damage
JIA is treatable, but it is important and necessary to seek treatment from the knowledgeable healthcare providers.
What do we mean by Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

JIA or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is most common form of arthritis in children and adolescents. It is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in the context that is occurs before the age of 16 and idiopathic in the sense that there is no defined cause and arthritis refers to the inflammation of synovium of a joint. JIA is a non- infective, autoimmune inflammatory joint disease that lasts for about 6 weeks to 3 months. JIA may involve one or many joints and cause symptoms such as fevers and/ or eye inflammation.

What are the causes of JIA or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

As JIA is an idiopathic disease, it has no defined cause. Researches show that Juvenile Arthritis occurs when body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. Here, the immune system, instead of protecting the body from harmful bacteria and viruses, releases chemicals that damage healthy cells and tissues causing inflammation and pain. It is not known why this happens but environment and heredity factors seem to play a role. Moreover, certain gene mutations such as viruses may make a person more susceptible to environmental factors.

What are the potential sign and symptoms of JIA?

The potential signs and symptoms of JIA or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis may include:

Limping; especially first thing in the morning or after a nap
Swelling in lager joints
Child may feel stiffness and appear clumsier than usual
Swollen lymph nodes, rashes and fever
Tenderness in the joints
Weight Loss
Fatigue or irritability
Eye redness, blur vision and eye pain
What are the options available to treat (JIA) Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

Juvenile Idiopathic ArthritisAlong with prescribing the required medications; Doctors may recommend your child to a physical therapist or occupational therapist. A physical therapist may help your child to keep his body parts flexible and will also help to maintain range of motion.

Therapists may also make recommendations regarding the best exercises and protective equipments available.
They may also use joint supports or splints to protect joints and to keep them in good functional shape as well.
They will also use exercises to stretch soft tissues and build up muscles.
Heat and cold therapies, TENS, soft tissue massage therapy may be used to relieve pain.
To prevent joint damage and to improve movement, exercising plans; to make your muscles stronger and more flexible may be recommended.
Physical therapists will also help to improve your posture and recommend exercises to strengthen the ‘core’ of your body.
Physical therapist may refer you to a podiatrist who may provide insoles to support your feet and ankles and will also help to relieve knee and hip pain.
Apart from the exercises, your child may be advised medicines like analgesics, NSAIDS, DMARDS etc to relieve other symptoms.
Contact Center for Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies or disorders. It is our topmost priority to provide utmost care and prompt treatment to our patients as per their needs and requirements.