Polymyalgia Rheumatica Treatment in India
About Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Key Highlights
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Effective management of pain and stiffness, often providing rapid relief within days of starting treatment.Prevents long-term complications and disability associated with uncontrolled inflammation.Specialized care from a Rheumatologist ensures accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans.Focuses on using the lowest effective steroid dose to manage symptoms while minimizing side effects.Includes ongoing monitoring to adjust treatment and check for related conditions like Giant Cell Arteritis.
Who is this surgery for?
- New onset of significant pain and morning stiffness in the shoulder, neck, and hip girdles lasting more than 30 minutes.
- Elevated inflammatory markers (ESR and/or CRP) found on blood tests.
- Symptoms such as fatigue, low-grade fever, and unexplained weight loss accompanying musculoskeletal pain.
- Exclusion of other conditions that can mimic PMR, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia.
- Age typically over 50 years, with the condition being most common in individuals over 70.
How to prepare
- Compile a detailed history of symptoms, including their onset, duration, severity, and specific locations of pain and stiffness.
- Undergo initial blood tests as requested by your doctor to measure inflammation markers (ESR, CRP) and rule out other conditions.
- Discuss your complete medical history and current medications with the rheumatologist, including any over-the-counter drugs or supplements.
- Prepare a list of questions about the diagnosis, treatment plan, potential side effects of medications, and long-term outlook.
- No specific physical preparation like fasting is required for the initial consultation and diagnostic evaluation.
Risks & possible complications
- Side effects from long-term corticosteroid use, such as weight gain, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and increased infection risk.
- Difficulty in tapering off steroids, with symptoms flaring up when the dose is reduced too quickly.
- Potential for developing Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), a serious related condition that can cause vision loss if not promptly treated.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis if symptoms overlap with other rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders.
- General risks associated with chronic illness, including reduced mobility and impact on quality of life if not well-managed.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Symptom relief is often dramatic, occurring within 24-72 hours of starting corticosteroid treatment.
- The rheumatologist will establish a gradual steroid tapering schedule over many months to find the lowest maintenance dose.
- Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor symptoms, adjust medication, and check for side effects or signs of GCA.
- Lifestyle modifications, such as a balanced diet, weight-bearing exercise (as tolerated), and calcium/vitamin D supplementation, are recommended to counteract steroid side effects.
- Physical therapy may be advised to improve strength, flexibility, and function as pain and stiffness subside.
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Typical hospital stay:
Typically 0 days (outpatient management)
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Expected recovery time:
Initial symptom relief: 1-3 days; Full medication taper and management: 1-2 years
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering polymyalgia rheumatica in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with rheumatology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform polymyalgia rheumatica. MediFyr helps you compare rheumatologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for polymyalgia rheumatica compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 5 Thousand – 25 Thousand | Typically 0 days (outpatient management) | ~ Initial symptom relief: 1-3 days; Full medication taper and management: 1-2 years | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 17.5 Thousand – 87.5 Thousand | Typically 0 days (outpatient management) | ~ Initial symptom relief: 1-3 days; Full medication taper and management: 1-2 years | Know More |
Vihaan Ali, a 72-year-old retired school...
Vihaan Ali, a 72-year-old retired school principal, had always been active, tending his garden and walking daily. Over a few weeks, he developed severe, unexplained pain and stiffness in his shoulders, neck, and hips, worst in the mornings. Simple tasks like putting on a shirt or getting out of bed became agonizing. He felt exhausted and began withdrawing from his weekly chess club, fearing he was just 'getting old.' His primary doctor, suspecting an inflammatory condition, referred him to a rheumatologist. After blood tests showed very high inflammatory markers, the rheumatologist diagnosed Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR). She recommended starting a low-dose oral corticosteroid (prednisone). Vihaan was apprehensive about medication side effects but desperate for relief. Within 24 hours of his first dose, the dramatic 'cinderella response' occurred, his pain and stiffness melted away. Over the next year, under careful supervision, his dose was very slowly tapered. He experienced some weight gain and insomnia initially, but these were managed. He regained his mobility and returned to his garden and social activities. Emotionally, he journeyed from frustration and fear of losing his independence to immense gratitude and cautious optimism, learning to manage a chronic condition while appreciating his restored vitality.
Rheumatologists for Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Explore experienced rheumatologists who regularly perform polymyalgia rheumatica and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 21 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 11 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 5 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
- 13 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata
- 8 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 11 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 29 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Kolkata
- 7 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
- 7 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
- 9 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 14 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 14 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 3 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 27 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 9 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata