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Occupational Therapy
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This condition is related to another inflammatory condition called giant cell arteritis.
Symptoms
-Aches or pain in your shoulders
Aches or pain in your neck, upper arms, buttocks, hips or thighs
Stiffness in affected areas, particularly in the morning or after being inactive for a time
Limited range of motion in affected areas
Pain or stiffness in your wrists, elbows or knees
more-general signs and symptoms, including:
Mild fever
Fatigue
A general feeling of not being well (malaise)
Loss of appetite
Unintended weight loss
Depression
Causes
Genetics. Certain genes and gene variations might increase your susceptibility.
Environmental exposure. New cases of polymyalgia rheumatica tend to come in cycles, possibly developing seasonally. This suggests that an environmental trigger, such as a virus, might play a role. But no specific virus has been shown to cause polymyalgia rheumatica.
Giant cell arteritis results in inflammation in the lining of the arteries, most often the arteries in the temples. Signs and symptoms include headaches, jaw pain, vision problems and scalp tenderness. If left untreated, this condition can lead to stroke or blindness.
Risk factors for polymyalgia rheumatica include:
Age. Polymyalgia rheumatica affects older adults almost exclusively. It most often occurs between ages 70 and 80.
Sex. Women are about two to three times more likely to develop the disorder.
Race. Polymyalgia rheumatica is most common among white people whose ancestors were from Scandinavia or northern Europe.
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