July is juvenile arthritis awareness month and we here at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics want to call awareness to these devastating conditions in young people while offering help for those suffering.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children. Arthritis is a long-term condition characterized by:

• stiffness
• swelling
• pain in the joints

An estimated 300,000 children in the United States have a form of arthritis. Some children have arthritis for just a few months, while others have arthritis for several years. In rare cases, the condition can last a lifetime.

The exact cause of JIA isn’t known. However, researchers believe it’s primarily an autoimmune disease. In people with autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks harmless cells as though they’re dangerous invaders.

Most cases of JIA are mild, but severe cases may result in complications, such as joint damage and chronic pain. Knowing the symptoms of JIA is important for getting treatment before the condition progresses.

At Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics, treatment usually consists of a wide variety of specialized services all with the purpose of:

• decreasing inflammation
• managing pain
• improving function
• preventing joint damage

The most common symptoms of JIA include:

• joint pain
• stiffness
• reduced range of motion
• warm and swollen joints
• limping
• redness in the affected area
• swollen lymph nodes
• recurrent fevers

JIA may affect one joint or multiple joints. In some cases, the condition can affect the entire body, causing a rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. This subtype is called systemic JIA (SJIA), and it occurs in about 10 percent of children with JIA.

If your child has a form of arthritis, or you yourself are experiencing arthritic symptoms, contact our clinic today at 423-499-0003 for a complete evaluation. We’ll help alleviate your pain and get you on a path to wellness.

#nomorepain