When JRA is diagnosed early and treated appropriately, the condition can usually be managed effectively and damage to joints can be limited. Medical care is aimed at easing the symptoms of JRA and may include medications to reduce inflammation (like ibuprofen). Newer medications, such as methotrexate and etanercept, can keep the immune system in check and control the disease far better than was possible 10 or 15 years ago. Range-of-motion physical therapy (exercises that improve flexibility), and the use of heat can also help control symptoms. Surgery is sometimes needed to repair damaged joints.

Living With Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you have JRA, some mornings it may be hard to get out of bed. Maybe you reach for your sock on the floor, and you can't straighten your elbow or bend your knees. Or you touch your shoulder, and it feels tender, warm, and painful. Periods of inactivity, like sleeping for 8 hours, can be followed by stiffness.

It may be tempting to roll back into bed and sleep the day away. But this can make things worse. Even though you may feel lousy sometimes, you can help yourself feel better. Just as runners, bodybuilders, and other athletes do stretching exercises to warm up, you can use gentle massaging and stretching to help soothe the muscles and ligaments around your sore joints. Once you're up and moving, the discomfort usually lessens. Exercise can help keep full motion in your joints and strengthen your muscles and bones. A physical therapist can help you plan an effective exercise program to do at home.

Proper nutrition can improve your overall health, and a registered dietitian can help you to understand the basics of a healthy diet. For example, you might feel sick and unable to eat as much when you experience a flare. A dietitian can assist you in selecting foods that have a higher nutritional value to compensate for a poor appetite.

A positive mental outlook is just as important as exercise and a healthy diet. If you feel depressed or angry sometimes, talk to someone who can support you. Tell your parents, your doctor, or a friend about how you feel. Some teens with JRA become more comfortable with the condition by asking questions and learning as much as possible. It may also help to do simple things that we often take for granted. For example, each day, try to schedule something to do that you enjoy and that makes you happy.

Most teens with JRA do the same stuff as other teens - they go to regular schools, help around the house, hang out with their friends, and are active physically, scholastically, and socially. Remember, your doctor and other medical professionals are there to support you and can help you manage the condition so that it has the least possible impact on your life.

Reviewed by: John Bohnsack, MD
Date reviewed: May 2003
Originally reviewed by: Gail McIlvain-Simpson, MSN, RN