If you or a loved one has Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), you probably know that joint pain and stiffness are common. But how can you tell if that discomfort is turning into real damage? Recognizing early signs of joint damage is the key to getting help before things get worse and in many cases, early action can slow or stop long-term joint damage altogether.If you or a loved one has Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), you probably know that joint pain and stiffness are common. But how can you tell if that discomfort is turning into real damage? Recognizing early signs of joint damage is the key to getting help before things get worse and in many cases, early action can slow or stop long-term joint damage altogether.