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What is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Arthritis is swelling or inflammation in the joints. While there are many forms of arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis or JRA is the most common type affecting children and adolescents.
JRA Overview
Click here for an overview of JRA, including images showing arthritic joints. Note: you can click on he links in the left menu for more detailed information on symptoms, treatment, etc.
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What clinical findings (signs, symptoms,
and test results) indicate Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Symptoms Overview
This link provides a good overview of symptoms and links to more information.
How JRA is diagnosed
This link has lots of good background information on JRA. To understand the clinical findings that will help doctors make a diagnosis of JRA, focus on the section “How juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?”
Test Results
Though they are not always conclusive, imaging test can often show the condition of a patient’s joints. In a patient with JRA, doctors might see the following results:
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Treatment Options
Treatment Overview
This link provides more detailed information about each of the treatment options listed below.
Treatment options can include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin and ibuprofen)
- Corticosteroids
- Exercise and range of motion activities
- Balance of rest and activity
If symptoms become more severe, patients may require surgery, including possible joints replacements.
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Science Links
Arthritis in Kids
This video highlights that it is possible for kids to have arthritis and that they are often misdiagnosed.
Aspirin Overview
Treatment options in this rotation often suggest the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen. Click on this link for a comprehensive look at aspirin, how it is used, and possible side effects.
Bones Muscles and Joints
This link offers an overview of bones, muscles and joints. It highlights the essential functions of each and how they work together in the musculoskeletal system. This site also has great multi-media diagrams to help you understand the function and structure of the musculoskeletal system.
Ibuprofen Overview
Treatment options in this rotation often suggest the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen. Click on this link for a comprehensive look at ibuprofen, how it is used, and possible side effects.
How you feel pain
This link describes the types of pain, how we feel pain and how pain may manifest itself.
Why do I have pain?
Written for kids, this site gives a good, but simple overview on pain and how experiencing pain can actually help our bodies.
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