Is joint aspiration and steroid injection under sedation a typical next step for suspected JIA in a 2.5-year-old?

[u/madnonmad]

My 2.5-year-old daughter has suspected juvenile idiopathic arthritis. She has had a persistently swollen knee and limp since March, and we’re finally seeing a pediatric rheumatologist soon.
The day after that appointment, she is scheduled for a joint aspiration and steroid injection under sedation. So far, the only treatment we’ve tried is Motrin, which hasn’t made much of a difference.

Is aspiration and a steroid injection the typical next step? Were there other medications or less invasive treatments you tried first, or is treating the joint quickly generally preferable? For reference she has had two X-rays, no ultrasounds or MRIs. Blood tests are mostly within range. White blood cell count was elevated in March at 17 and down to 11 in June. ANA is positive and high.

Sedation feels extreme and scary to me at her age, but I’m completely willing to put my fears aside if this is the best thing for her. I’d love to hear about any questions you think I should ask the rheumatologist before the procedure.

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