Pediatrics > Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Facts and Physical Therapy
Definition: Group of diseases characterized by chronic joint inflammation.
Pathology: Specific pathology is unknown. May be an autoimmune
disorder in response to infection or trauma in an individual with genetic
predisposition.
Types:
- Systemic: multisystem involvement in addition to multiple joint pain and inflammation
- Polyarticular: Involvement of 5 or more joints, usually symmetrical
- Pauciarticular: Most frequent type. Joint involvement in 4 or less joints. Most seen in females age 4 or younger and males ages 10 years or older.
Functional Limitations:
- Dependent upon pain and specific joint limitations
- Gait (walking) is affected, assistive devices may be needed
- Difficulty with ADLs (activities of daily living: dressing, feeding, etc)
What can Physical Therapy do to help my child?
- Help to attain and maintain optimal joint mobility and muscle strength
- Provide hands-on techniques to improve joint alignment with movement
- Use handling-techniques to facilitate improved joint alignment with age appropriate motor skills
- Provide alternate movements to attain function, but limit pain
- Provide a home program to assure carryover
- Provide orthotic assessment/training if prescribed by a physician
