Juvenile arthritis is an epidemic that currently affects over 300,000 children under the age of 18 in the United States. While juvenile arthritis serves as an umbrella term and encompasses numerous autoimmune, inflammatory or pediatric rheumatic diseases, it is one of the largest contributors to childhood and young adult pain, but we can help!
We’re proud to help those who suffer from juvenile arthritis and their debilitating effects by specializing in orthopedics. With our highly trained orthopedic specialists, we can help any child or young adult suffering from any juvenile arthritis disease.
While arthritis can manifest itself in various ways in young adults and children, there are many indicators to watch out for. The most prevalent signs consist of:
Pain
Varying types of pain, generally located in the muscles or joints may be experienced in the morning after waking up.
Stiffness
Stiff joints may cause a child to struggle with normal, everyday movements, such as walking or holding objects for short periods of time. Again, stiffness is often experienced after waking up in the morning.
Swelling
Swelling can be a prevalent issue when determining whether or not a child has juvenile arthritis. Generally, affected areas will be warm to the touch and inflamed. Swelling may be consistent or intermittent, so make sure to keep close tabs on any areas that may become swollen.
Fevers/Rashes
It’s no surprise that children often encounter infectious disease on a regular basis that can cause a fever or rash. Respiratory or stomach infections will not be present and these fevers appear more suddenly and consistently around the same time of day.
Weight Loss
If a child is fatigued (more so than usual or what is warranted from regular activity) and lacks an appetite, this may be a sign of juvenile arthritis. Rapid weight loss instead of gaining or maintaining weight is a prominent sign to watch for.
Juvenile arthritis is an epidemic, both domestically and internationally, but knowing the signs and symptoms can often help in combatting the disease early. If you know a child or young adult who may be suffering from juvenile arthritis, please call us and let us help.
Comments are closed.