Arthritis in children

Despite the representation of adults that arthritis in children - a thing unprecedented, this disease affects every thousandth child. Diagnosing arthritis is difficult, because children can not always clearly say what and where they have pain. More often it manifests itself in the child's behavior: he is moody, does not want to eat, everyone is unhappy. Visually, swelling around the joint may not be observed, in this case, you need to pay attention to lameness, unwillingness to walk or move your hands. Arthritis in children is more often observed at the age of 1 to 4 years, but it may occur later.

Arthritis, which occurs in childhood, there are several types.

- Pauziarticular (oligosusular) juvenile chronic arthritis. The most common, is diagnosed in half of sick children. It can affect several joints at the same time - oligosus arthritis, and maybe even one - monosynthesis. Among arthroplasty, arthritis of the knee joint is common . In children suffering from this disease, complications associated with eye damage may appear.

- Multi-articular juvenile chronic (polyarticular) arthritis. With this disease affected from 4 joints and more, it is the joints of the hands and feet. Multi-articular arthritis in children is accompanied by pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints. Inflammation extends to the periarticular tendons and muscles. A positive result for rheumatoid factor is found in 5% of children with arthritis. It is believed that rheumatoid arthritis in children is hereditary. It is important to begin treatment as early as possible in order to avoid damage to the joints.

- Systemic juvenile chronic arthritis. Diagnosing it is extremely difficult, not always the beginning of the disease is accompanied by arthritis, much more often it starts with a fever. Usually, this arthritis occurs in children of younger age group up to 5 years. The fever is accompanied by a rash, the tonsils may increase - these symptoms may be characteristic of other diseases, and only a blood test can determine the presence or absence of this kind of arthritis.

- Juvenile spondylitis. This species is found only in 10% of children with arthritis. Most often it's teenagers. Affects ankle, thigh or knee joints. Inflammation can also trap tendons. The disease is complicated by iridocyclitis (acute inflammation of the eye), inflammation of the joints of the spine and sacrum. 90% of cases of this disease are diagnosed by a blood test.

How to treat arthritis in children

If a child is diagnosed with "juvenile chronic arthritis," quickly take care of the treatment and continue it even at a time when the illness is inactive. This is necessary in order to avoid further damage to the joints and other consequences of the disease. How is treatment carried out? It includes not only taking medicines, but also physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic gymnastics, and in a period of low activity and remission - rest in a sanatorium. The doctor can appoint you temporary use of tires to immobilize the joints, there are also special shoes and insoles that will also facilitate walking. The main goal of physiotherapy is to prevent joint fusion. And, of course, children need the support of parents who will help them through the test of pain and limited movement.

Drugs used in treatment have many side effects, and the parents' task is to monitor their appearance, consult with the doctor on time to avoid serious complications. Juvenile chronic arthritis is a lifelong disease, but if you choose the right treatment and are constantly observed in a rheumatologist, the prognosis of the future life of the child can be optimistic - he will be able to study, get higher education and work by profession. However, if during the treatment there will always be a recurrence - the activity of the child may be limited, and eventually disability will occur.

What should parents do?

The parents' task is to closely monitor the child's health, carefully consider his complaints or unwillingness to move his arm or leg, pay attention to swelling around the joints and, with the slightest suspicion, go to a rheumatologist.