What is Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is characterized by muscle pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder, and hip area. This stiffness, lasting about 30 minutes, is more severe upon waking or after a period of inactivity. Persons also may have “flu-like” symptoms. The symptoms may come on suddenly or gradually and usually strikes people over 50 years of age with age 70 the most common age of onset. There may be remission in one to several years. Up to 15% of persons develop giant cell arteritis (also called temporal arteritis), during or after polymyalgia symptoms appear.