| What We Treat
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
A child with a persistently swollen joint and morning stiffness needs paediatric rheumatology input. Physiotherapy protects movement and strength alongside it.
Overview
What It Is
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is persistent joint inflammation beginning before the age of sixteen and lasting more than six weeks. Children often do not report pain clearly; a limp that is worse in the morning, or a reluctance to use an arm, is frequently the first sign. Early treatment protects joint development and growth.
A Morning Limp
Children rarely report pain clearly. A limp worse in the morning, or reluctance to use an arm, is frequently the first sign.
Symptoms
How It Tends to Feel
These are the features that point towards this diagnosis rather than another:
Morning Limp or Stiffness
Easing through the day, and often reported by parents rather than the child.
Joint Swelling
Persistent rather than fluctuating, most often knee, ankle or wrist.
Reduced Use
Avoiding an arm or leg, or regression in a skill previously mastered.
Irritability or Fatigue
Particularly in younger children who cannot describe pain.
Growth Differences
Limb length or size differences where one joint is chronically inflamed.
Eye Involvement
Often silent, which is why screening is mandatory rather than optional.
Causes & Risk Factors
What Drives It
The usual contributors, in rough order of how often they turn out to matter:
Autoimmune Process
Immune-mediated joint inflammation with no single identified cause.
Genetic Susceptibility
A contributing but not determining factor.
Subtype Variation
Several distinct subtypes with different patterns and outcomes.
Environmental Triggers
Suspected but not established.
How We Can Help You
Treatment & Management
Treatment is built around what the assessment finds, but generally follows this shape:
When to Seek Help
Red Flags — Don’t Ignore These
Most presentations are straightforward. These features are the exceptions, and warrant prompt assessment:
⚠ Seek Medical Advice If You Notice
- A hot, swollen joint with fever — septic arthritis must be excluded urgently
- Any eye redness, pain or visual change
- Unexplained weight loss, night sweats or persistent fever
- Refusal to weight bear at all
If any of these apply, contact your GP or seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a physiotherapy appointment.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child grow out of it?
Some subtypes remit, others persist into adulthood. Early treatment substantially improves the outlook either way.
Should they avoid sport?
No. Continued participation, modified during flares, protects joints, bone density and confidence. Withdrawal from activity does more harm than the arthritis usually does.
Why do the eyes need checking?
Uveitis in this condition is often completely silent and can damage vision before anyone notices. Screening is not optional.
Not Sure If This Is What You Have?
An assessment will tell you what is actually going on and what to do about it. I see everyone myself, and you will leave with a plan rather than a leaflet.
Book Your Initial AssessmentThis page is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for individual medical advice. If you’re experiencing any of the warning signs above, contact your GP or seek emergency medical care as appropriate.