1st Joint Flare-up

In June of 2014 SP woke up and complained of her knee hurting, being in a rush I dismissed it as growing pains or her having slept wrong. I didn't even look at it until several minutes later. And when I did what a shock I received.

That picture is actually from when it began to look better :( To the ER we went, several hours later and after two phone calls to Dupont Children's Hospital, the ER Dr felt positive it was a JRA flare-up. We started giving naproxen sodium at home and icing it down. SP went to school to enjoy the last few days of Kindergarten, she doesn't let anything slow her down. She participated in field day and a dance recital!

We went to Dupont and got seen by the wonderful Dr Rose and decided the joint needed a corticosteroid injection and to have the fluid drawn out. Since SP is a child and little kids don't do too well holding still while people are poking them with long needles she would have to be put under anesthesia. As a parent I wasn't too happy about that, but we do whatever it takes to keep our girl feeling good. A week before the procedure I received a phone call asking if we would be willing to have SP be a part of a research study. Absolutely! Basically anytime they remove tissue or fluid from her they will assign it a number and use it as part of their research. I doubt the findings will ever help SP, but if it can help another child I'm all for it.

The day of the procedure went very well, SP was calm and relaxed going into the procedure and the same when she awoke. I'm overjoyed to report that has been the only knee steroid shot she has needed thus far. So currently only her left knee and right eye has been affected by the JRA, that is beyond amazing. If the JRA affects 4 joints or less there is a greater likelyhood that it will go into remission when she is a teen. As a parent we hope and pray that is the case!