Although one usually associates joint pains with old age, children can also suffer from a wide range of conditions that cause joint inflammation and therefore pain. Most of them are limited and can be resolved with timely and appropriate treatment. They can be due to pathologies within the joints themselves or due to systemic conditions that present with joint inflammation as part of the symptomatology.
Septic Arthritis --- Definition and Causes
The most common --- and most dangerous --- cause of joint inflammation in children is septic arthritis. This is a purulent infection of the joint space. Infectious organisms are thought to enter the joint space during an episode of bacteremia, or presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. Most commonly caused by staphylococcal bacteria, septic arthritis is often found in the knee joint. In the sexually active adolescent, the bacteria Neisseria gonorrheae should be considered as a possible cause.
Signs and Treatment of Septic Arthritis
This condition presents as a painful joint, often accompanied by fever, irritability and refusal or inability to bear weight on the affected joint. The range of motion is severely limited, and the joint may appear swollen and red. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from a septic arthritis, procure treatment immediately. The condition can be diagnosed by aspirating fluid from the joint, and treating with either intravenous or oral antibiotics, depending on the severity and the identity of the causative bacteria. Delaying this treatment can result in permanent joint damage and disability.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a less-common cause of joint inflammation in children. It is thought to be an autoimmune illness, which means that it is not caused by an infective agent, but rather by the body's own immune system attacking healthy tissue. It is a chronic or long-term disease, symptoms of which include joint stiffness, joint pain, redness and swelling of the joint, and depending on the type of JRA, systemic symptoms like fever and rash. The child may even have an enlarged liver or spleen discovered on examination by a physician.
After the diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests and X-rays, the physician may decide to treat the child with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen. If the disease is severe, however, it will be treated with immuno-modulatory drugs like methotrexate, under a physician's direct and careful supervision.
Exercise and physical therapy are important parts of the treatment plan for a child with JRA.
Lyme Disease
Another possible cause of joint inflammation in children is Lyme disease, caused by a tick bite. This is possible especially if your child spends a great deal of time outdoors. Lyme disease manifests with a rash shaped like a bull's-eye, joint inflammation, fever, and can sometimes progress to cause heart problems. If you suspect that your child has Lyme disease, take him to a doctor who can give him the appropriate antibiotics. To prevent Lyme disease, dress your child in long sleeves and long pants when hiking. Minimize skin exposure, use insect repellent, stay away from shrubbery, and keep an eye out for ticks on your child's skin. Lyme disease is treatable and is not considered to be a chronic illness.
References
- Blueprints; Pediatrics; Bradley S. Marino; 2009
- PubMed Health: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Children's Hospital Boston: Lyme Disease
