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Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis |
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Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - (JRA) - Joint inflammation
JRA is the most common form of arthritis in children. It may be a mild condition that causes few problems over time, but it can be much more persistent and cause joint and tissue damage in other children. JRA can produce serious complications in more severe cases. Arthritis is usually associated with adults. But children can be affected by almost all of the types of arthritis that adults can have. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) - a chronic condition causing joint inflammation for at least 6 weeks in a child 16 years of age or younger - is the most common type of arthritis in children. In most cases it's not a lifelong disorder, and the signs and symptoms fade after several months or years. Still, JRA can be complicated. The term juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is actually an umbrella term for a group of conditions. The conditions are classified according to the number of joints affected, the signs and symptoms, and the results of blood tests. The main categories of JRA are:
Treatment focuses on ongoing physical activity to maintain full joint movement and strength. Definition Arthritis involves inflammation of one or more joints and the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk or otherwise bear weight. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Related Sites:
Causes, incidence, and risk factors You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:
Often, the inflammation goes away after the injury has healed, the disease is treated, or the infection has been cleared. With some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does not go away or destruction results in long-term pain and deformity. When this happens, you have chronic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and is more likely to occur as you age. You may feel it in any of your joints, but most commonly in your hips, knees or fingers. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include:
Arthritis can occur in men and women of all ages. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind, which is almost 1 out of every 7 people. Other types or cause of arthritis include:
Symptoms
If you have arthritis, you may
experience:
Signs and tests First, your doctor will take a detailed medical history to see if arthritis or another musculoskeletal problem is the likely cause of your symptoms. Next, a thorough physical examination may show that fluid is collecting around the joint. (This is called an "effusion.") The joint may be tender when it is gently pressed, and may be warm and red (especially in infectious arthritis and autoimmune arthritis). It may be painful or difficult to rotate the joints in some directions. This is known as "limited range-of-motion." In some autoimmune forms of arthritis, the joints may become deformed if the disease is not treated. Such joint deformities are the hallmarks of severe, untreated rheumatoid arthritis. Tests vary depending on the suspected cause. They often include blood tests and joint x-rays. To check for infection and other causes of arthritis (like gout caused by crystals), joint fluid is removed from the joint with a needle and examined under a microscope. See the specific types of arthritis for further information.
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