Physiotherapy: Forms an integral part of treatment of children with arthritis. In the acute stages when there is excessive inflammation, the joint is rested. Once the inflammation is reduced, range movement exercises and, strengthening exercises are advised.

Orthotics and appliances: Children with deformities need assessment with a view to providing appliances and splints that would help lessen the disability.

Emotional needs: The amount of impact a chronic disease like arthritis has on a growing child is large. Children may have difficulties in schooling, interaction with other children, interaction with parents and relatives. All these should not be ignored and if needed the help of a child psychologist should be sought.

There is no scientific proof to say that either hot/cold weather is the cause of arthritis. However sudden changes in temperature especially from hot to cold could worsen a pre-existing arthritis. Further, since the level of activity goes down during cold weather the joint stiffness increases. When the disease is well-controlled with appropriate medications, one finds no relationship between the weather and the joint disease.

The kind of food eaten by and large does not affect the joints. In fact when the arthritis is active, there is loss of weight and appetite. Hence, there is no logic in doing any kind of dieting/food restriction. Less than 5% of children with arthritis have what is termed food allergy. This could be allergy to any kind of food including wheat-based food like chappati/bread. These patients are told to avoid only that specific food.