Symptoms
Severe morning stiffness of shoulders and hips, difficulty getting up or dressing and sometimes general malaise.
Warning signs
New headache, jaw pain on chewing or visual disturbance require urgent exclusion of giant cell arteritis.
Treatment
Low-dose glucocorticoids with gradual tapering; steroid-sparing drugs in some cases.
Related content
A hot, very painful and swollen joint, especially with fever, requires urgent medical attention.