• There are over 100
forms of arthritis.
• Juvenile arthritis (JA) is a general term for all types
of arthritis and related conditions that occur in children.
• Approximately 300,000 children under the age of 17 years
are affected by JA.
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) affects up to 50,000
children.
• Arthritis affects girls twice as often as boys.
• Early diagnosis and compliance with the medical treatment
plan gives the child the best opportunity for a positive disease
outcome.
• Some children’s’ symptoms of JA go into remission
and others will be affected to some degree throughout their lifetime.
• Children are also affected by non-inflammatory disorders
such as fibromyalgia.
• JA can affect the
student’s mobility, strength and endurance.
• Regular exercise is an important part of a JA treatment
plan. Some children wear joint supports or removable splints.
Physical therapy may be required to keep affected joints moving
and to preserve range of motion.
• Exercise is important to keep joints mobile, muscles strong,
and to improve general fitness and endurance.
• Sports and recreational activities are important for students
with arthritis to help them develop confidence in their physical
abilities. They should be encouraged to pick a sport of interest
that has the least impact on the joints, such as swimming.
• Although contact sports are not recommended, the child
may be able to do special exercises to train for the sports or
use protective equipment that can further reduce the risk of injury.
• Some common causes of arthritis:
- Acute symptoms:
Injury/trauma.
Infection related arthritis.
- Chronic symptoms:
JRA
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• It is important to
remember that as part of normal growth, children often complain
of pain in their arms and legs without suffering any limitations
of normal activities. This condition is commonly called “growing
pains.” Both children and adults with depression often complain
of pain in various parts of the body. These aches and pains may
be generalized, or they may be localized, such as in the muscles,
bones and joints. Joint pain without inflammation is called arthralgia,
a condition that requires proper attention, but is not necessarily
arthritis.
