How common is morning joint stiffness in polymyalgia rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica causes aching and stiffness around the shoulders, neck and hips. Symptoms may be most troublesome after waking or resting and can make dressing, rising from a chair or lifting the arms difficult. People may also feel generally unwell or unusually tired.

This condition is more often considered in later adulthood, but age and morning stiffness alone are not enough to make a diagnosis. A clinician may examine movement and arrange blood tests while considering other inflammatory, muscular and joint conditions.

Arrange a medical assessment promptly if new shoulder or hip stiffness is persistent, affects both sides or is limiting everyday movement. Keep a record of when stiffness began, which activities are difficult, and whether you have headache, scalp tenderness or jaw discomfort.

Do not start or stop prescribed steroid medicine without medical guidance. Gentle movement may prevent extra loss of mobility, but rest when symptoms are severe and avoid forcing painful shoulder or hip movements.

Seek urgent medical care for a new severe headache, scalp tenderness, jaw pain while chewing, double vision or any change in sight. These symptoms can signal inflammation affecting blood vessels and need rapid assessment. Also seek prompt care for severe weakness, fever or rapidly worsening illness.

Ask whether your shoulder and hip symptoms fit polymyalgia rheumatica, which tests are needed, and how quickly treatment should begin if inflammation is suspected. Ask about safe movement, medicine monitoring and symptoms that require same-day advice.