Usually pain is in severaljoints. (Rarely it begins with severe pain and swelling in only one joint, but often there is also some pain in other joints.) Often pain starts in ankles and wrists, then knees and elbows. Pain may change from some joints to others.
High fever is typical (usually starts suddenly).
Other signs
Treatment and therapy
joint pain and fever usually begin 1-3 weeks after severe sore throat with fever (strep throat)
small lumps may appear under the skin over joints
sometimes wiggly reddish circles on skin
in severe or advanced cases, heart problems (‘heart murmur’, difficulty breathing, or chest pain)
usually gets better in 6 weeks to 3 months—but likely to come back
Age it often begins: Any age, but often begins between 2-7 or 9-12 years old. Lasts for years (Often the arthritis gets better when child becomes sexually developed)
(also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Still’s disease)
Pain in one or in several joints
Fever
May affect few joints, many joints, or almost all joints.
(In ⅓ of children it begins in only one joint—later it may affect others.)
Often some fever when pain is worst. (Rarely, it begins with high fever.)
Other signs
Treatment and therapy
usually no history of sore throat
severely painful, hot, swollen joints often leading to muscle weakness, contractures and deformities
sometimes a rash that comes and goes
may begin little by little, or suddenly and severely
one or both eyes may become red and sore (iritis) and become damaged
usually lasts for years with periods when it gets better and then worse
ibuprofen in high doses with precautions to avoid stomach upset
“exercises-without-motion” to keep muscle strength
SPRAINS AND TORN LIGAMENTS
Age it often begins: older child or adult
Pain in one or in several joints
Fever
one joint only
hot and swollen at first
no fever
Other signs
Treatment and therapy
ankles and knees are common sites.
often results from forceful twisting
joint may be loose or floppy, and remain weak for months or years
it may easily be twisted or injured again
apply cold during first day after sprain; following days, apply heat
avoid motion but keep joint in good position
ibuprofen or paracetamol for pain
provide temporary support with elastic or adhesive bandage or (in severe cases) a *cast or ankle brace
INJURY TO JOINT SURFACE
Age it often begins: older child or adult
(for example: torn meniscus, bursitis)
Pain in one or in several joints
Fever
usually one joint only, often the knee
no fever
Other signs
Treatment and therapy
usually after twist or strain or injury
may hurt suddenly or go weak at certain times but not at others
swelling or ‘liquid’ under skin may form behind knee or on the edge of joint.
provide support with elastic bandage
rest, moderate activity
gentle ROM exercises
ibuprofen or paracetamol for pain
if problem continues, seek help of a specialist
DISLOCATED JOINT DUE TO INJURY
Age it often begins: at birth or in older child
(dislocation is when a bone comes out of its socket)
Pain in one or in several joints
Fever
one joint Hips, shoulder, and elbows are most common.
no fever
Other signs
Treatment and therapy
at first, very painful and weak
in weeks or months (if uncorrected) pain becomes less but weakness often remains
joint looks different from same joint on other side of body
have an experienced person try to put the bone back in its socket (the same day or soon after the dislocation occurs). Older dislocations and some new ones may need surgery
provide support for a few weeks with elastic bandage (especially shoulders and knees)
gently do ROM exercises every day
DISLOCATED JOINT DUE TO MUSCLE WEAKNESS
Age it often begins: occurs in older child with polio, other paralysis, or arthritis
or muscle imbalance
Pain in one or in several joints
Fever
usually one joint
weak shoulder dislocated from weight bearing
no fever
Other signs
Treatment and therapy
atypically-shaped joints
knees, shoulders, hips, feet, elbows may gradually dislocate because muscles pulling them in one direction are stronger. or because muscles surrounding the joint are so weak.
dislocated
careless stretching exercises may cause or increase dislocation.
try to put dislocated joint back into place
avoid positions that force joint out again
for partial dislocations of knee, careful stretching exercises may help—but take care to avoid further dislocation