Local Family Participates in Juvenile Arthritis Conference

July 10, 2009

Arthritis Foundation Continues Drawing Attention to Nationwide Shortage of Pediatric Rheumatologists

(Kenton County, KY) (July 10, 2009) – Three year old Ryder Cochran of Kenton County and his parents, David and Angela Cochran, are currently representing the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation at the Juvenile Arthritis Conference in Houston, Texas July 9-12.  The conference is hosted each year by the Arthritis Foundation.  Families of children with juvenile arthritis, arthritis researchers and pediatric rheumatologists are gathered at the conference to learn valuable information about treatments and overcoming obstacles posed by the disease. 

Ryder was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis just before turning two years old.  His symptoms started out with swelling of the right knee and eventually the arthritis spread to four other joints, both wrists, his left thumb and right pinky finger. Ryder is now on a treatment program to manage his disease and is staying active with the encouragement and support of his family and pediatric rheumatologist. 

Ryder is fortunate to live near an area with pediatric rheumatologists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are 218 practicing pediatric rheumatologists in the U.S. – one specialist for every 1,376 patients. Nationwide, there are 10 states without a single pediatric rheumatologist. These numbers signify a need for increased access to trained specialists and important arthritis treatment advances that can significantly impact a child’s quality of life.

JA is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, but often goes undetected or misdiagnosed. Children and their families may have to travel long distances to seek treatment – 57 miles on average – adding to the $128 billion price tag that arthritis costs the economy each year. 

“Early diagnosis of juvenile arthritis is essential,” said Barbara Perez, President/CEO of the Arthritis Foundation Ohio River Valley Chapter.  “There are treatments available today that if started early can prevent a lifetime of disability, and can limit the pain these children often experience.”

For more information on the Juvenile Arthritis Conference or to learn more about the disease, please visit www.arthritis.org or call 1-800-383-6843.