Surely Arthritis Is For Old Folks!

Arthritis is more prevalent in adults, particularly adults over the age of 65 years, even some doctors don’t realize just how much childhood arthritis exists . . . but for those kids who are suffering it’s very real indeed. Some children are left to suffer for months, maybe even for years before being correctly diagnosed as suffering from childhood arthritis. This can cause problems for them at home, at school, with friends . . . all of the important areas of childhood.

Childhood Arthritis affects an estimated 1 child out of every thousand each year . . . which is quite a high figure really, but fortunately many of these children will only have a very mild case of childhood arthritis, but for the unfortunate few, around 1 in 10,000 . . . the symptoms of arthritis just will not go.

Childhood Arthritis isn’t really a form of arthritis in itself, because there are a few different types of arthritis which can affect children.

• Acute Arthritis – aka septic arthritis can effect one or maybe more joints
• Chronic Arthritis – aka Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) can be separated into three different types; Oligoarticular JIA, Polyarticular JIA and Systemic onset JIA.

Oligoarticular JIA is the most common type of childhood arthritis . . . usually starting at around two or three years of age. Fewer than four joints can become painful and swollen, sometimes it even affects the eyes.

Polyarticular JIA affects at least 5 joints, maybe more. This can start from any age, even babies of just a few months can suffer from this childhood arthritis which can quickly spread around the joints, often leaving the child feeling unwell and maybe even with a fever.

Systemic Onset JIA causes painful swelling and inflammation of the joints as well as rashes and fever. This type of childhood arthritis affects the whole body, generally starting in children of less than 5 years but can actually affect children of all ages.

Many children find that the inflammation caused by childhood arthritis stops as they get older, but for around one-third it will also affect their adult lives.

Symptoms of JIA

The specific symptoms do depend on the type of childhood arthritis, but include swollen and painful joints making them extremely stiff and tender, fever and lethargy, weight loss (largely due to loss of appetite) and a refusal to move any joints or limbs which have been affected by JIA. Children with systemic arthritis may also have high fever, a rash, some swollen glands and muscle pain which can last for up to two weeks. These joints can develop deformities over a long period of time.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Arthritis

Childhood arthritis is typically quite difficult to diagnose, with many of the above symptoms often being associated with various viruses. Diagnosis is possible, however, with a combination of bone scans, x-rays and blood tests. It might also be necessary to take a little fluid from the affected joints for analysis.  Acute arthritis needs to be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible to reduce any risk of lasting damage to the childs joints. Other treatments include drugs to control the inflammation and pain, and in severe cases steroids can also be used. The most severe cases may need splints or even surgery. Physiotherapy is an important part of childhood arthritis treatment . . . the benefits of this is twofold . . . it helps to keep the joints mobile while strengthening the muscles.

Childhood arthritis is a very real problem which thousands of children . . . and their families . . . have to live with every single day.