Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients or parents may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA):

1. How do you know my child has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and not some other form of arthritis?
   
   
2. What diagnostic tests will be used?
   
   
3. What do these tests involve? Do we need to do anything to prepare for them?
   
   
4. Will this condition worsen or improve as my child gets older?
   
   
5. Can the joint pain of JRA affect my child's growth?
   
   
6. Which drugs can help JRA?
   
   
7. Do these drugs have side effects that are harmful for a child?
   
   
8. Can other treatments or therapies help?
   
   
9. Should I watch for symptoms in body areas or systems other than the joints?
   
   
10. Will exercise or sports participation help or hurt my child's JRA?
    
    
11. How can we tell when it’s best to be active and when it's best to rest?