Gideon's Story
Gideon’s pain kept him from walking. Doctors thought it was a simple injury. After an appointment with a pediatric rheumatologist, Gideon was properly diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
In December 2016, at the age of 3, Gideon was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The diagnosis came after months of trying to figure out what was causing him so much pain and swelling in his knee. His journey began several months before when he started complaining of pain in his left knee.
His parents originally thought he had injured himself, but after a few days, the pain was getting worse. He also developed a lingering fever. They visited their local pediatrician several times over those weeks. He was diagnosed with strep throat, which they thought could be causing some joint pain.
When his fever had not subsided after several days of antibiotics, he was sent to the emergency room for further testing. Doctors though that an injury or infection in the joint could possibly be the cause of the pain in Gideon’s knee. Multiple x-rays showed nothing to confirm an injury or infection and Gideon was admitted to the hospital. Days later, he was discharged with a misdiagnosis of rheumatic fever.
Gideon’s symptoms continued to worsen. His parents decided to try another hospital and headed to the emergency room at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. After being seen by the emergency room staff, an appointment was made with the rheumatology department. Finally, Gideon was properly diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Since that time, he has received steroid injections in his knees, begun weekly injections, daily medication and supplements. Along with some dietary changes, Gideons medications have helped keep his arthritis under control with small flare ups only happening occasionally.
His parents originally thought he had injured himself, but after a few days, the pain was getting worse. He also developed a lingering fever. They visited their local pediatrician several times over those weeks. He was diagnosed with strep throat, which they thought could be causing some joint pain.
When his fever had not subsided after several days of antibiotics, he was sent to the emergency room for further testing. Doctors though that an injury or infection in the joint could possibly be the cause of the pain in Gideon’s knee. Multiple x-rays showed nothing to confirm an injury or infection and Gideon was admitted to the hospital. Days later, he was discharged with a misdiagnosis of rheumatic fever.
Gideon’s symptoms continued to worsen. His parents decided to try another hospital and headed to the emergency room at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. After being seen by the emergency room staff, an appointment was made with the rheumatology department. Finally, Gideon was properly diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Since that time, he has received steroid injections in his knees, begun weekly injections, daily medication and supplements. Along with some dietary changes, Gideons medications have helped keep his arthritis under control with small flare ups only happening occasionally.