Benjamin Haacke

Bio 1090- Green

4/15/16
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Upon hearing the word Rheumatoid, one may think of a zesty salad dressing, a
saw blade designed for cutting tile, or a punk rock boy band. Juvenile Rheumatoid
Arthritis (JRA) is a disease common in children, affecting the way they walk, grow, and
develop. As someone who has lived with JRA (oligoarthritis) for a number of years, the
physiological, physical, and biological impacts are real, significant, but also treatable and,
with proper discipline, very manageable. In this paper, due to the many different types of
JRA, we will examine the disease as a whole, to be able to cover the majority of causes,
anatomical effects, and possible treatment options.
As is understanding the meaning of a certain word or phrase in casual
conversations important, we must also understand terminology in the medical world.
Juvenile, referring to youth, or a person, indicates the age or time of life one may be
diagnosed or see symptoms of a certain condition; Rheumatoid, deriving from the term
rheumatism, which is a term applied to inflammation, pain, stiffness, or limited motion;
and arthritis, which literally means inflammation of the joint (1).
While growing up as a young child, I never experienced a traumatic injury, joint
damage, or anything out of the ordinary to be considered as exposure or infection to JRA.
Certain types of Arthritis are caused by injury, or joint disruption, however, in the case of
JRA, a specific trigger or cause is unknown. Some researchers believe that certain genetic

mutations may increase the susceptibility, but further research is needed to confirm this
hypothesis(2).
The immune system, which is the bodys defense against foreign pathogens,
attacks the synovial linings of the joint, causing inflammation-a natural immune response
of the body. If the inflammation persists, permanent joint damage may occur, and other
complications may be seen. Another possible complication of arthritis is stunted growth,
possibly caused by anti-inflammatory drugs interfering with the childs bone growth and
development.
Due to unknown causes, there are no known methods of prevention. Personally,
before the diagnosis was delivered, I remember waking up in the morning and feeling
like an old man, or not being able to run or jog without warming up and stretching. As an
adult, one would understand what is ailing him/her, know what functions he/she may or
may not be able to perform, and cope with the symptoms. But as a child, it is difficult to
understand why you cant run as fast as the other kids, why you have joint pain and
stiffness, why it hurts when you wake up in the morning. All of these symptoms were
personal things that I had to deal with, as well as the one in every 1,000 kids who have
JRA (3).
Upon diagnosis, when physical exams do not immediately reveal signs of
arthritis, addition testing is needed. Due to inflammation being primary side effect, a
complete blood test will be needed, looking for inflammatory markers as well as a
Rheumatoid factor study, all of which are performed in a laboratory. When only a specific
joint is affected, X-rays are needed to eliminate other possible diseases(4).

For many sufferers of JRA, the symptoms of inflammation, stiffness, joint

swelling, fever, reluctant use of arm or leg(rheum.org source), are all very treatable with
medication and proper administration of such medications. Inflammation may lead to
complications, and going untreated with Anti-inflammatory medication, will cause
permanent damage. Children who have JRA, are at risk of uveitis, a complication that
will promptly lead to vision loss going untreated, because of inflammation in the retina,
iris, and other essential strutctures of the eye(. Anti-inflammatory medications are needed
in order to reduce the amount of inflammation, and also will help diminish the patients
pain(5).
Another possible treatment is physical therapy and, in very rare cases, surgery. If
we examine a joint and the muscles surrounding a joint cavity, motion and movement are
key to flexibility and also increase the functionality of the joint. A physical therapist may
help the child increase his/her range of motion, and also increase muscle tone to
strengthen the integrity of the joint itself. In very rare cases, inflammation my increase
and surgery will be needed to reposition the joint, and improve the over all functionality
thereof(6).
For the 1 in every 1,000 children who suffer from JRA, there is no known cure
for the disease. Finding a cure, and being able to run and jump without pain, as well as
enjoying normal joint and limb movement capabilities is not far-fetched. However, until
that breakthrough is found, children must learn methods to care for themselves and limit
the effects of a potentially debilitating disease. Exercising regularly, preferably low
impact, maintaining a proper diet, as well as using cold and heat therapies to limit pain
and stiffness, are important practices to limit the effects of arthritis.

As someone who has suffered and lived through Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis,
the effects of this disease can be managed and treated with proper diet, as well as staying
active and healthy. However, there are some children who have the disease, and may not
have access to proper care facilities or treatment, or who do not have the means to do so.
JRA can be physically debilitating as well as emotionally overbearing for a child. But, if
the right remedies are used, with consistency and discipline, under the care of a
physician, JRA patients will continue to be able to lead a normal life with limited pain
and normal mobility.

Reflection
As I began to research topics for this assignment, there were a few suggested
themes that called my attention, but I chose to pick a subject that would be meaningful to
me, personally. Living with JRA, I knew many of the symptoms and treatment options
that are written above, but I also learned a lot more about how the disease comes about,
as well as other possible treatment options. Selecting and researching a disease that has
effected your life, and those around you, can be difficult in knowing where to start, and
how to compose all your thoughts and knowledge on the subject. Nevertheless, my
research has helped me understand more about the disease I grew up with, and has also
deepened my understanding of the topic.

Works Cited
1. Collins Dictionary of Medicine Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
2. M. (2016). Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Retrieved April 20, 2016, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/juvenile-rheumatoidarthritis/basics/causes/con-20014378

3. Abramson, L. S. (2015, June). Juvenile Arthritis. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from
http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/JuvenileArthritis
4. Sherry, D. (2016, March 3). Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Retrieved April 22, 2016,
from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1007276-overview

5.Miller, K. (n.d.). Eye Complications in Children With Juvenile Arthritis. Retrieved

April 22, 2016, from http://www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org/living-with-ja/medicalcare/health-effects/arthritis-eye-complications.php

6. M. (2016). Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Retrieved April 20, 2016, from

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/juvenile-rheumatoidarthritis/basics/causes/con-20014378