Arthritis affects children, too
eet Henry Tischler,
M.D., Chief of Orthopedic
Surgery at New-
York-Presbyterian Brooklyn
Methodist Mospital — a doctor
who’s wholeheartedly dedicated
to helping patients get
back on their feet.
Q. When did you know
you wanted to be a physician,
and ultimately, an orthopedic
specialist?
A. Although my father
was an obstetrician/gynecologist
in Brooklyn, I wanted to
be a dentist. Then I began taking
special athletic training
courses when I was a teenager.
I worked with the late Dr. John
Marshall M.D., a trailblazer
in the field of sports medicine
during my summers, and that
led me to explore a career in
orthopedics.
Q. How has the field of
orthopedics changed since
you began practicing?
A. There’s a lot of technology
in medicine now, which
has led to changes that we
have all seen or experienced.
Of course, the new technology
makes us more efficient
in treating patients and performing
surgical procedures,
but it’s still in its infancy. I expect
technology to continue to
drive innovations, and from
a biologic perspective, propel
us to repair and restore cartilage
and bone in even more efficient
ways.
42 COURIER LIFE, AUG. 2-8, 2019 B G M
Q. What are some of the
more rewarding experiences
you’ve had as a physician
and as chief of orthopedics?
A. As a doctor, it’s when
patients come to my office unable
to walk or in pain, and
then after treatment, they are
able to do all the things they
want to do and are pain-free.
As chief, it’s knowing that at
NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn
Methodist, we really take
time with our patients, and
we can care for complex orthopedic
issues.
Q. What is life like outside
of your career?
A. Work takes up much of
my time, including making
hospital rounds on Sundays,
but when I’m not working, I
enjoy watching football and
baseball and reading The New
York Times. I also like watching
NCIS, and when I get a
chance, James Bond films—
the older ones are more intriguing.
Q. What do you admire
most about Brooklyn?
A. My wife, Frances, and I
were both born and raised in
Brooklyn. In the past, people
who lived in Brooklyn were
born in Brooklyn. Now people
from all over the world
choose to live and work here.
In my practice, I see patients
who are from around the
globe—from China to Yemen.
There’s so much to experience
in Brooklyn—from the
people to the food to the entertainment.
This borough is
a world of its own. It’s amazing.
Q. What’s something
about yourself you wouldn’t
change, and what would
you change?
A. I wouldn’t change that
I’m honest and straightforward,
and I’m dedicated to
my patients. If I could change
something, I would love to
spend more time with my
wife, children and friends.
To make an appointment
with an orthopedic specialist
at NewYork-Presbyterian
Brooklyn Methodist Hospital,
please call 718.780.7300.
Health
Aches and pains are a widely accepted side effect of
aging. Over time, bones can become more brittle
and cushioning tissues between joints can deteriorate.
But while arthritis and pain are often associated
with the elderly, young people, including children, can
experience arthritis as well.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, juvenile arthritis,
or JA, comes in many forms and affects nearly
300,000 children. JA is an umbrella term used to classify
a variety of diseases affecting the joints and musculoskeletal
systems in children. Juvenile lupus, juvenile
idiopathic arthritis (also known as juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis), juvenile dermatomyositis, and
Kawasaki disease are just a few of the conditions that
fall under the JA umbrella.
Unlike adults, who may develop arthritis from
years of wear and tear on the body, kids with JA can
often trace their condition to genetics. JA also is an
autoimmune disease in which the body’s natural immune
system ends up attacking its own cells by mistake
when something goes awry. With arthritis, that
attack can result in pain, infl ammation and fever.
Juvenile arthritis can cause persistent joint pain,
swelling and stiffness. The Mayo Clinic says that some
children with arthritis also develop serious complications,
such as growth problems or eye infl ammation,
and JA may affect the skin and gastrointestinal tract.
Arthritis is typically a lifelong condition. Although
fl are-ups may last a few days or weeks, those with arthritis
can usually expect their symptoms to persist
throughout their lives. This can be especially challenging
for children who are not mature enough to
understand their condition. Furthermore, JA can be
easily overlooked by doctors who are not used to seeing
young patients with arthritis. Parents who learn to
recognize the symptoms of JA may be able to identify
the condition before their children’s doctors, and that
early detection can help kids better cope with the discomfort
and pain caused by their condition.
Stiffness: Children with JA may be particularly
stiff in the morning.
Pain: Kids who complain of pain right after waking
up rather than after a day of physical activity may
be exhibiting signs of JA. Pain may dissipate as children
begin moving.
Swelling: Redness and swelling around the joints
is an indication of infl ammation. This swelling may
come and go or persist for several days.
Fever: Sudden fevers not linked to any respiratory
or stomach ailments may be indicators of JA.
Fatigue: JA can cause children to be more tired
than usual. Fatigue also can affect eating and sleeping
patterns.
If a pediatrician suspects JA, he or she likely will
recommend a visit to a pediatric rheumatologist, who
will then take a complete health history to determine
the type of symptoms present and the length of time
those symptoms have been present. Laboratory work,
X-rays and other imaging tests will rule out other conditions,
but no test can defi nitively say if a child is or is
not suffering from JA.
There is no cure for arthritis. The goal of treatment
is to reduce pain and infl ammation and improve
quality of life. A combination of medications, physical
therapy and healthy eating are usually prescribed to
ease symptoms. Medications may be anti-infl ammatory
drugs as well as biologics, which put the disease
into remission and prevent the body’s immune system
from attacking the body further. Several different
treatment plans may be tried until the right combination
is found.
Weight management and healthy eating can help
a child with JA prevent further joint damage as he or
she ages. Physical activity, including low-impact exercises
that take the stress off of knees or hips, also are
good for the joints and can improve strength and fl exibility.
Arthritis is a condition that affects both adults and
children. More information is available at www.arthritis.
org.
Arthritis can affect people of all ages — even children.
/www.ar-thritis.org
/www.ar-thritis.org
/www.ar-thritis.org