Print OverviewPolymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips. Signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (pol-e-my-AL-juh rue-MAT-ih-kuh) usually begin quickly and are worse in the morning. Most people who develop polymyalgia rheumatica are older than 65. It rarely affects people under 50. This condition is related to another inflammatory condition called giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis can cause headaches, vision difficulties, jaw pain and scalp tenderness. It's possible to have both conditions together.Products & ServicesBook: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionBook: Mayo Clinic Guide to ArthritisNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsThe signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica usually occur on both sides of the body and might include: 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 You might also have more-general signs and symptoms, including: Mild fever Fatigue A general feeling of not being well (malaise) Loss of appetite Unintended weight loss Depression When to see a doctorSee your doctor if you have aches, pains or stiffness that: Is new Disrupts your sleep Limits your ability to do your usual activities, such as getting dressed Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesThe exact cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown. Two factors appear to be involved in the development of this condition: Genetics. Certain genes and gene variations might increase your susceptibility. An 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 arteritisPolymyalgia rheumatica and another disease known as giant cell arteritis share many similarities. Many people who have one of these diseases also have symptoms of the other. 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 factorsRisk 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. ComplicationsSymptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica can greatly affect your ability to perform everyday activities, such as: Getting out of bed, standing up from a chair or getting out of a car Combing your hair or bathing Getting dressed These difficulties can affect your health, social interactions, physical activity, sleep and general well-being. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment June 16, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Docken WP. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 1, 2020. Polymyalgia rheumatica. American College of Rheumatology. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Polymyalgia-Rheumatica. Accessed April 1, 2020. Camellino D, et al. Update on treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. Reumatismo. 2018; doi:10.4081/reumatismo.2018.1062. Docken WP. Treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 1, 2020. Dejaco C, et al. Giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: Current challenges and opportunities. Nature Reviews: Rheumatology. 2017; doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2017.142. Polymyalgia rheumatica. Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/polymyalgia-rheumatica/. https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/polymyalgia-rheumatica. Accessed April 1, 2020. Polymyalgia rheumatica. Vasculitis Foundation. https://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/education/forms/polymyalgia-rheumatica/. Accessed April 1, 2020. Buckley L, et al. 2017 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2017; doi:10.1002/art.40137. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry