Evaluation & Treatment

The Rheumatology Center care team diagnoses and treats conditions that affect muscles, joints and connective tissues in infants, children and adolescents. The rheumatology care team completes a comprehensive assessment to determine the child’s condition and extent of physical disability, if any. Many times rheumatic diseases can present themselves similarly to cancer or metabolic disorders. A full range of laboratory and imaging testing at Miller Children’s can help determine diagnosis. After a diagnosis has been made, the care team creates a personalized treatment plan to ensure proper condition management, health and wellness.

Patient and family education and goal setting is an important part of the child’s medical management of their condition. Treatment plans could include medications to help control the disease, physical therapy and counseling. Application of treatment depends on the child’s health, medical history and extent of the condition.

Medication

Rheumatologic diseases such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and juvenile dermatomyositis, may require anti-inflammatory medication. This helps to ease the pain and allow the child to lead a normal lifestyle. Other medications can also benefit the child by:

• Treating skin disease caused by dermatomyositis
• Slowing damage to certain organs caused by scleroderma

Physical & Occupational Therapy

Children with rheumatologic diseases, such as JRA, may require more than just anti-inflammatory medication. Occupational and physical therapy are provided to help a child improve and maintain muscle and joint function and their ability to perform average daily activities. Miller Children’s also provides a weekly pool therapy class that puts children in a warm, soothing environment with a trained therapist who encourages stretching and exercise.