Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a general name for several kinds of arthritis. 'Juvenile' means that it affects young people; 'idiopathic' means that we don't know what the cause is; and 'arthritis' means inflammation of the joints

When a child is diagnosed with JIA, it is impossible to say exactly how long the condition will last. JIA can continue for months or years. The main ways of treating JIA include medication for inflammation, Physiotherapy for exercise, splints, joint injections to reduce inflammation in particular joints and pain management.  While treatment can reduce the symptoms, it does not lead to a cure.

From: Kids Health Info Rheumatology Conditions- an Overview.

 

There are lots of resources for JIA on RCH website:

http://www.rch.org.au/rheumatology/information_about_rheumatological_conditions/

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Physiotherapy and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis                 Physiotherapy and JIA: a guide for adolescents