SAA commemorates its 40th anniversary

World Pediatric Bone and Joint Action Day is an annual global observance to raise awareness of pediatric musculoskeletal conditions, promote early detection and treatment, and emphasize the importance of bone and joint health in children.

As a community, SAA supports all people living with spondyloarthritis, including JSpA. This World Pediatric Bone and Joint Action Day, we’re sharing the below insights and tips from Pediatric Physical Therapist, Stephanie Gilboy, PT, DPT of Spooner Physical Therapy – Scottsdale to help youth impacted by JSpA and their families explore options for helping to manage symptoms.

As a parent or caregiver of a child living with JSpA (juvenile spondyloarthritis) or a related rheumatic disease, when should I seek assistance from a physical therapist?

Children should be evaluated by a physical therapist with experience in childhood rheumatic diseases as early in the diagnosis process as possible. This allows the therapist to establish a baseline for mobility and strength as well as recommend future treatment plans.
For children currently living with JSpA or other rheumatic diseases, a physical therapy evaluation is recommended whenever the child appears to be falling behind their peers at school, struggling to complete normal daily tasks due to pain, or unable to participate at school due to their limitations.
It is also a good idea to seek out a PT prior to symptoms becoming so limiting that the child is unable to perform basic self-care tasks or school activities in order to maintain as much normalcy as possible.

How does a PT plan for a youth impacted by a rheumatic disease differ than a plan for an adult? How are they similar?

Similar to adults, PT will focus on global mobility, functional core strength, and endurance. It becomes unique for children in evaluation and treatment interventions to ensure they are reaching age-appropriate gross motor milestones as well as making it fun and engaging to the kids.
We utilize functional games and strategies to improve their core and hip strength in standing and kneeling postures, scapular stability in closed kinetic chain, and dynamic control of lower extremity mechanics to maintain proper force distribution. Each treatment plan is catered to the individual's current functional level, whether they are a recreational athlete with their school or struggling with standing tolerance.
Another unique difference to PT for children is the educational component for the caregivers. It can be difficult for children to understand the long-term impact of their disease as well as the benefits of consistency of a healthy lifestyle. Buy-in of the caregivers allows the best chance for long-term success.
Pediatric PT for rheumatic diseases covers a vast array of impairments to ensure proper growth and development while creating environments for reduced pain and difficulty with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.

Are there some general recommendations that you have for pain management and inflammation?

Gentle movement! Each rheumatic disease has its own unique characteristics, but all respond very well to reduced load mobility for the large joints of the body.
Activity in the pool creates an environment for safe play with reduced load on the weight bearing joints of the body.
Inflammation responds well to large amplitude motions within pain free ranges.
When in doubt, move within your pain free ranges!