About Morning Joint Stiffness in Children

A number of different problems can cause pain in the joints of some children in the morning. Physicians can usually help the children through treatment that can ease a child's suffering. Treatments may as simple as an over-the-counter medication and some rest; however, in other cases the cause and treatment may be far more serious.

Still's Disease

• When children complain of joint stiffness or pain in the morning, one reason could be Still's disease. Still's diseases' symptoms include high fevers and rashes. The treatment for Still's disease can sometimes be anti-inflammatory medication.

Inflammatory Arthritis

• Inflammatory arthritis can cause children to suffer morning stiffness and swelling of joints. These symptoms may continue at times during the day, making playing and simple walking difficult. Ibuprofen is sometimes recommended for the child to reduce pain and swelling in the joints.

Hypermobility Syndrome

• A common problem in the joints of the ankles and knees of some teenage girls is known as Hypermobility syndrome. A physician's discussion with the parents might reveal that the teenage girl's mother had very flexible joints in her teenage years as well. Children generally grow out of the condition, in the meantime, Tylenol can be helpful.

Orthopedic Disorders

• Various orthopedic disorders can cause children to experience joint stiffness in the morning. Stiffness in the hip or knee joints can be caused by such syndromes as Perthes disease and Osgood-Schlatter disease. These disorders usually impact some females in their teenage years due to physical activity.

Lupus

• Lupus is a disease that may cause children to feel daily pain in their finger joints. This disease is thought to be passed on genetically, but some people may become diagnosed with lupus with no genetic ties to the disease. Children who contract lupus can show symptoms as early as the age of 10. At this time, there is no medical answer for lupus, but its symptoms can be readily treated.

Pain All Over Syndromes

• Certain children can feel pain in their joints throughout their bodies. These children may have what can be known as "reflex autonomic dystrophy." A physician will generally examine the child for many health issues to discover the specific underlying illness that needs to be treated.

Lyme Disease

• If a child is afflicted with Lyme disease it is because the child was bitten by a tick that is carrying the disease. Lyme disease can cause arthritis in the joints of the knees, which can lead to pain for the child in the morning as well as other times during the day. A parent should bring her child to a physician to diagnose and prescribe treatment for Lyme disease. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to more serious long-term health issues.