Expert Opinion :
Initial management of oligoarticular JIA includes NSAID medications. Additional or alternative therapy for oligoarticular JIA includes the use of intraarticular corticosteroids. If there is persistent synovitis after treatment with non-steroidal medications and intraarticular therapy, one should consider further management with methotrexate. However, it is not common to require remissive agents for the management of oligoarticular JIA. Children with oligoarticular JIA may develop a localized bone disturbance characterized by early, accelerated bone growth and subsequent premature epiphyseal closure at the affected joint. This phenomenon occurs often with arthritis of the knee. Intraarticular corticosteroid injections appear to be effective in limiting the consequences of localized disturbances of bone growth.