This is a very practical guide to the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of the various forms of chronic arthritis in children. It uses algorithms, tables and many high-quality colour illustrations to make key points, and so can easily be used in a busy practice for initial diagnosis and follow-up.
The only textbook of childhood arthritis available in the world, this book employs a unique approach to the recognition and treatment of these complex and chronic conditions. First, the book is divided into three sections emphasizing the logical sequence of events that occur after the child
who might have Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) first presents to the doctor with a musculoskeletal complaint; the reader is first taught the extensive differential diagnosis of arthritis using simple but extensive algorithms and detailed discussions of each condition; more than 200 conditions
are discussed. This is followed by a discussion of all types of JIA, using a revised classification system created by the International League Against Arthritis. The introduction of the new classification system has created a need for a comprehensive guide to clarify and focus attention on childhood
arthritis. Lastly, the book presents an extensive discussion of treatment of childhood arthritis using a logical but novel approach, namely, the recognition that childhood arthritis is treated differently depending on the stage of the illness, and must cover the entire spectrum of chronic illness
from early, through established and finally to resistant forms of childhood arthritis. Through this textbook, the reader travels the same journey as the physician who first rules out all conditions that are not chronic childhood arthritis, and then decides which type of chronic arthritis the patient
has, and lastly, implements an individualised treatment plan.