Joint Pain in the Over-50s: What Kent Residents Should Know About a Commonly Missed Condition

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) — a condition causing aching and stiffness in the shoulders, neck, hips, and thighs — affects older adults more than any other inflammatory disease, the BMJ has highlighted. Despite how common it is, the condition is often overlooked, with patients sometimes waiting months before receiving a correct diagnosis.

So why does it get missed? PMR shares symptoms with a range of other conditions — arthritis, fibromyalgia, and even some cancers — which can make it hard to identify without careful assessment. There’s no single definitive test; doctors typically look at blood markers showing inflammation, alongside the pattern and location of a patient’s symptoms and how quickly they respond to steroid treatment.

The condition tends to come on relatively quickly, sometimes within days. Typical signs include:

• Aching or stiffness in the shoulders, upper arms, neck, hips, or thighs
• Symptoms that are worse in the morning and ease as the day goes on
• Difficulty raising arms above shoulder height or getting up from a chair
• Tiredness and sometimes a mild fever or unintentional weight loss

PMR is treated with corticosteroids (steroid tablets), which usually bring rapid relief — often within days. That quick response is itself part of how doctors confirm the diagnosis. Treatment typically continues for one to two years, according to NHS guidance, with the dose gradually reduced over time.

Anyone in Kent experiencing persistent muscle stiffness or aching — especially if they’re over 50 and symptoms have come on over a matter of weeks — should speak to their GP rather than assuming it’s general wear and tear.

Getting help and advice

• GP appointment: the first step for anyone with unexplained muscle aching or stiffness lasting more than a few weeks
• NHS 111: call 111 if you’re unsure whether your symptoms need urgent attention
• NHS website: search ‘polymyalgia rheumatica’ for full guidance on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment