Which is the most likely complaint from a patient with Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

• A. Difficulty rising out of chair
• B. Proximal muscle stiffness
• C. Difficulty walking
• D. Difficulty sitting

Answer: (B)

Proximal muscle stiffness. In polymyalgia rheumatica, adults, especially over 50, experience inflammatory stiffness and ache in the shoulder and hip girdles, most noticeable in the morning. The stiffness is prolonged and limits movement of the proximal joints, which is the hallmark symptom. Activities like rising from a chair or combing the hair become difficult because of this proximal stiffness and pain, rather than true muscle weakness. This pattern distinguishes PMR from conditions where weakness is the primary issue, and it explains why proximal stiffness is the best answer.