Arthritis Doesn’t Care How Old You Are

It surprised us too when we found out that kids can suffer from arthritis just like adults do. 

 

Arthritis is actually an umbrella term covering many different conditions, and while some forms are more familiar than others, none of them are exclusively reserved for older adults. So, let's talk about it. 

Osteoarthritis is probably the one you've heard of most. It happens when the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones gradually wears down. As the joint space narrows, bones can start to rub together which, as you can imagine, is as uncomfortable as it sounds. 

 

Rheumatoid arthritis works a little differently. It's driven by an immune response that causes inflammation around certain joints, and often brings other symptoms along for the ride, things like fatigue, fever and weight loss. Over time it can stretch the ligaments around a joint and cause instability, and in some cases lead to osteoarthritis too. 

 

Both are definitely more common in adults but age isn’t a direct cause of either condition. Lifestyle and genetics tend to play a much bigger part than the number of candles on your birthday cake. 

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis – JIA - affects around 1 in every 1,000 children, which actually makes it more common than cystic fibrosis. The word idiopathic means there's no single known cause, and there are up to seven recognised types, each categorised by the number of joints affected and other symptoms like rashes, persistent fever or signs of psoriasis. 

 

As a parent, the signs to look out for include: 

 

Pain or limping – your child might not have the words for joint pain, but you might notice them limping, especially first thing in the morning or after a rest 

 

Swelling – often first spotted in larger joints, like the knees 

 

Stiffness or unusual clumsiness – especially on waking or after sitting for a while 

 

Fever, rash or swollen lymph nodes – in some types of JIA, these can flare up, often feeling worse in the evenings. 

 

Treatment really does depend on the type of arthritis but usually – as with most things – combines exercise, medication and dietary changes. The aims of any treatment are always the same: ease the pain, reduce swelling, keep joints moving well, and protect them from longer-term damage. 

One of the most common things we hear - and one of the most unhelpful - is: ‘Well, arthritis just comes with age, doesn't it?’ 

 

It really doesn't, and holding onto that belief can stop people from seeking help or making changes that could genuinely improve how they feel day to day. Whether you're 8 or 80, looking after inflammation in the body is always worth your attention. 

 

Diet is a brilliant, accessible place to begin. Nudging things toward more alkaline, anti-inflammatory foods - and pulling back from the things that tend to aggravate the body - can make a real difference over time. 

 

Bring more of these in: dark leafy greens, green tea, garlic and oily fish 

 

Try to ease off: fried foods, dairy, sugary snacks and too much wheat 

 

Small, consistent changes really do add up. 

 

If anything here has got you thinking - about your own joints, or something you've noticed in your child - please do come and talk to us. It's exactly what we're here for, and there's no such thing as too small a concern.