Has anyone's child had tests for arthritis?

Submitted by Kitty on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 20:10.

Juvenile Arthritis

My sons physiotherapist has recommended we get him checked for arthritis (he has hypermobility but his joint pains are still bad) and I was wondering if anyones child has had tests done? I understand it's done by blood test and that you have to have them tested whilst the joints are flaring up? I don't know the best way to go about this as my GP doesn't do paediatric blood tests so where can I get a test done really quickly when he's complaining of pain?

I'd be grateful to hear of someone elses experience in getting the test done.

Thanks

Kitty

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Submitted by helenb8man on Sat, 07/10/2010 - 11:07.

Hi Kitty

If your physio has these concerns she should have told your gp and asked for a referral to a rheumatologist rather than leave you to worry and sort it out!

Do you have any history of arthitis in the family?

If you go to the hypermobilty cliinic at gos although they look at muscle/skeletal rather than inflammatory conditions there is a rheumatologist who can easily assess if they think there is something else going on. Not all hypermobile kids respond to hydro or exercises. Do his joints swell and get stiff? Both signs of an inflammatory problem. Or a growth spurt can make things worse.

There are a variety of tests including the ANA that is looking at autoimmune issues. Your local consultant can ask for bloods tests quickly.

Hope you can get an answer quickly. The other alternative if you can afford it is to get a private rheumatology appointment.

Love Helen

Submitted by Kitty on Wed, 07/14/2010 - 20:22.

Hiya

there's no history that i know of - apart from the normal old age sort. I can't ever see any swelling and aren't aware of stiffness (any ideas on how i would tell if they are??). oh yes, you may be right about the growth spurt - he is having one i think as he's grown out of some clothes! hadn't thought of that!

i am seeing my GP in 2 weeks and will ask for referral. if i get no joy then i will try to find a private clinic and enquire about costs. i enquired with a local company about private occupational therapy and they said it would cost me £400 just for an assessment and 1 follow up! ouch! things cost so much!! i am going to wait a bit longer for the NHS one i think!

thanks for the tips and i will definately try to move things along.

how are you all? How is Ben's pain and diarrhoea?

Take care,

Submitted by nemi07 on Thu, 06/30/2011 - 08:50.

There is no specific blood test that can diagnose juvenile arthritis, routine blood tests looking at things like inflammatory markers are often done but they are not diagnostic. ANA does not diagnose juvenile arthritis lots of children are ANA posiitve and never have juvenile arthritis and some are ANA negative and do have juvenile arthritis. Juvenile Arthritis is made by a diagnosis of exclusion made a paediatric rheumatologist after they have taken a history and examined the child. Sometime Xrays or scans are done to exclude other conditions or if the child has had symptoms for a long time to see if they are any bone erosions.

Submitted by Kitty on Thu, 06/30/2011 - 14:50.

This is really interesting thank you.

Arthritis was ruled out and it seems to be joint pain connected to their gut problem. Hydrotherapy has helped lots.

Thanks for the information.

Kitty

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