Juvenile chronic arthritis.

Juvenile chronic arthritis is a heterogenous group of diseases in which the common denominator is a persistent arthritis in one or more joints commencing before the age of 16 and lasting three months or more. The care of these patients by a pediatric rheumatologist, an orthopedic surgeon, and a full rehabilitation team must be combined to afford the best treatment. Medication, splintage, and physiotherapy are useful in helping to suppress and reduce the effects of the disease, but in some patients arthritis attacks in acute episodes, while in others arthritis chronically and relentlessly pursues its destructive course. Surgical treatment, particularly of the soft parts, has a considerable part to play in correcting deformity, maintaining movement, and relieving pain. Timely surgical treatment may also serve to prevent deformity and to maintain function as well as muscle strength so that by the time the child becomes an adult he can lead a normal life. The plan of treatment is thus long range.