When a child or teen with JIA has active disease, or a flare of disease, in joints in the legs (hips, knees, ankles, feet),  it can affect their ability to walk.   This is usually due to pain in the affected joints.  At the time of JIA diagnosis, approximately 30-40% of children may have some trouble with walking, running, or ability to keep up with their usual activities. Our Canadian research data shows that the majority of children newly diagnosed with JIA can reach inactive disease by 6 months after diagnosis while on treatment- this means their arthritis is controlled on medication.  Children with JIA whose disease is controlled on medication are able to walk, run, play sports and keep up with their healthy peers. Overall, in 2020, most pediatric rheumatology teams would see few children with JIA who are needing to use equipment such as crutches or wheelchairs for more than a brief time period.