Fun Fact Friday...

Out with the old in with the new. That's the theme for today's fun fact. For the longest time, we always knew the most common type of Juvenile Arthritis as Juvenile 'Rheumatoid' Arthritis or JRA. Well, that's not the case anymore, at least when it comes to children. The new term for these types of Arthritis is......drum roll please.....

'Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis'

Why the change? To be honest, I don't totally know. Dr. I said that children don't usually get a 'true' rheumatoid arthritis (every now and then they do) which means they don't really know what causes it (hence the term 'idiopathic'). Although I have to say that after reading the definitions on the arthritis website for Rheumatoid Arthritis and JIA, I can't really tell the difference. Take a looky loo and see for yourself. Maybe there's something I'm missing. Anyway, so it's no longer JRA although the medical community still seems to be having a hard time making the switch. Case in point, when we went for Siobhan's eye check up with Dr. P, the nurse and then doctor both referred to it as JRA. And according to Dr. I, the department head at Primary Children's Hospital still has trouble calling it JIA. Too funny! Usually when I'm talking to people about it, I just say JA. It's easier and saves a lot of time, confusions, breath and explanation.

So there you have it....your fun fact about arthritis....now go tell your friends!