Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Treatment goals for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are to reduce your child's joint pain and to prevent disability. Physical therapy and medicine are the basis of medical treatment for JIA.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of JIA. Even when JIA is uncomplicated, an affected child may need years of medical treatment or checkups. To make sure that your child's care is appropriate for the stage of disease, work closely with the medical team. Learn as much as you can about your child's disease and treatments. And stay on schedule with medicine and exercise.

Your doctor will set up a treatment team. It may include a pediatrician, an ophthalmologist, a rheumatologist, and a physical and/or occupational therapist.

Physical therapy

Treatment may include:

• Reference Physical therapy. Regular exercise and Reference range-of-motion exercises will help maintain joint range and muscle strength and prevent Reference contractures Opens New Window.
• Reference Occupational therapy. An occupational therapist (OT) can help your child learn ways to do self-care activities, play, and take part in school without making symptoms worse.
• Reference Balancing rest and activity. Mix extra naps or quiet times with activity each day.
• Reference Assistive devices. These can help your child hold onto, open, close, move, or do things more easily.
• A Reference pain management plan. This can help you and your child control pain caused by JIA.

To learn more, see Reference Home Treatment and Reference Other Treatment.

Medicines

Medicine will likely be an important part of your child's treatment.

• Reference Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are likely to be the first medicine used to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Reference Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be used, especially if your child doesn't get relief from NSAIDs.
• A corticosteroid injection into a joint also may be used to reduce inflammation, particularly if your child has Reference oligoarticular JIA Opens New Window.
• Combinations of medicines may also be used.

To learn more, see Reference Medications.

Follow-up

Treatment depends on the type and severity of JIA. Even when JIA is uncomplicated, an affected child may need years of medical treatment or checkups. To make sure that your child's care is appropriate for the stage of disease, work closely with the medical team. Learn as much as you can about your child's disease and treatments. And stay on schedule with medicine and exercise.

Reference Inflammatory eye disease may develop in children with JIA. This form of eye disease generally has no symptoms and can lead to a permanent decrease in vision or blindness. So part of your child's treatment plan should be regular checkups with an Reference ophthalmologist Opens New Window.

What to think about

Surgery may be used in a very small number of children with JIA who have severe joint deformity, loss of movement, or pain.

Some children with JIA have no appetite, so malnutrition becomes a medical concern. If your child has little appetite for food, see a nutritionist for help.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.