Orthopedic Surgeons and Rheumatology

Polymyalgia rheumatic

Polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) is a syndrome with pain or stiffness, sometimes within the neck, shoulders, upper arms, and hips, however which can occur everywhere the body. The pain will be terribly abrupt. Most of the people with PMR awaken within the morning with pain in their muscles; but, several cases have occurred during which the person has developed the pain throughout the evenings or has pain and stiffness all day long.

People who have polymyalgia rheumatica can also have arteritis (giant cell arteritis), an inflammation of blood vessels within the face which may cause blindness if not treated quickly. The pain and stiffness may result in a very low quality of life, and may result in depression. . Persons of Northern European descent are at greater risk. There is no definitive laboratory take a look at, however C-reactive protein (CRP) and red blood cell sedimentation rate (ESR) is helpful.