Three-Year-Old Diagnosed with Arthritis After Doctors Dismissed Symptoms as Growing Pains
A three-year-old girl from Scotland has been diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis after medical professionals repeatedly dismissed her symptoms as "just growing pains" for over 18 months. Skyler Smith began experiencing leg discomfort in early 2024, prompting her concerned mother, Elaine-Maree Telfer, to seek medical advice.
Prolonged Medical Journey and Diagnosis
Elaine-Maree, a 31-year-old kennel assistant from Murray, Scotland, faced significant challenges in obtaining a proper diagnosis for her daughter. Despite Skyler's persistent pain, doctors initially reassured the family there was no cause for alarm. Over the course of 18 months, Skyler underwent three ultrasounds, an X-ray, two MRI scans, countless blood tests, and even received a steroid joint injection before medical experts finally identified her condition.
The eventual diagnosis revealed Skyler suffers from juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), Hoffa's Fat Pad herniation, and Trigger Thumb. JIA is exceptionally uncommon in young children, affecting just one in 1,600 individuals, while Hoffa's Fat Pad herniation is so rare in children that no statistical data exists for its prevalence.
Mother's Persistent Advocacy
Elaine-Maree described the diagnostic process as "very frustrating," explaining she had to show doctors videos of Skyler in pain, limping, refusing to walk, and waking up during the night. "I was saying, 'surely this is something to be concerned about,'" she recalled. The breakthrough came when Elaine-Maree discovered a lump in Skyler's knee and brought her to A&E, challenging a GP during a follow-up consultation when symptoms were being dismissed without proper examination of the lump.
This persistence led to referrals to orthopaedic and paediatric specialists, culminating in the JIA diagnosis on October 23, 2025. The diagnosis proved bittersweet for the family, providing answers but also revealing an incurable condition that requires ongoing management.
Ongoing Treatment and Side Effects
Despite the diagnosis, Skyler continues to experience pain and suffers numerous treatment side effects. Her weekly methotrexate injections require anti-sickness medication beforehand and folic acid supplements afterwards, causing night-time pain, stomach aches, diminished appetite, and nausea. Elaine-Maree explained that the treatment offers no guarantees regarding Skyler's long-term outlook, noting that "it could be years, it could be forever" before she might achieve remission.
The mother also highlighted the emotional toll, revealing she has emetophobia (fear of vomiting) which complicates managing Skyler's treatment side effects. She must remain extra vigilant about potential infections like chickenpox or viruses due to Skyler's compromised immune system from the medication.
Raising Awareness and Providing Support
Elaine-Maree has turned to social media to share their story, with a TikTok video about Skyler's condition going viral and connecting them with others who experienced similar diagnostic delays. Many respondents reported living with symptoms for years before receiving adult diagnoses. The mother emphasized that many people don't realize children can develop arthritis, often assuming it's a condition related to wear and tear rather than understanding it as an autoimmune disorder.
"I just hope this story is relatable and can spread awareness," Elaine-Maree said. "Not every child is the same—Skyler didn't have the typical, visible JIA swelling. Parents should know that they can keep pushing if they're unhappy with answers." She praised the Juvenile Arthritis Research charity for their support during this challenging journey.
Skyler's family, including her brothers Leo and Jax and her army-serving father David who helps when home, continues to support the brave three-year-old through her medical challenges. Despite the difficulties, Elaine-Maree remains determined to advocate for her daughter and raise awareness about juvenile arthritis in young children.
