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Auckland Rheumatology Specialists
Private Service, Rheumatology
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
An inflammatory condition affecting predominantly the shoulders, back and hips in people over the age of 50. It causes severe stiffness of movement especially in the morning. The diagnosis is made from a careful evaluation of the symptoms, physical findings, and the inflammation is detected in the blood tests. In most cases, treatment with low doses of corticosteroid tablets rapidly relieves the symptoms. The treatment is usually required over a period of at least several months. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz