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Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia Rheumatica Care in New Jersey

Fellowship-Trained Rheumatologists Serving Patients Across South & Central Jersey & Philadelphia

The fellowship-trained rheumatologists at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates are ready to work closely with you and create an individualized polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) treatment plan that combines medication, lifestyle adjustments, and supportive therapies. By incorporating the latest advances in corticosteroid treatment and biologic medication, we aim to reduce inflammation and support mobility, while complementary physical therapy helps improve strength and flexibility.

Every physician at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates is board-certified or board-eligible. We’re not a general internal medicine office that handles rheumatology on the side; our practice is specifically focused on rheumatic conditions and other related diseases. For more than 50 years, we’ve served New Jersey patients from multiple office locations, offering the full continuum of in-office care from diagnostic evaluation through long-term monitoring.

Call (856) 424-5005 to request a consultation with Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates. We accept new patients and offer second opinions!

How PMR Is Diagnosed at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates

PMR has no single definitive diagnostic test. Our assessment process is based on clinical evaluation, medical history, laboratory findings, and ruling out conditions with overlapping symptoms. We begin with a physical exam, a review of family and medical history, and targeted blood tests measuring inflammatory markers, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Rheumatoid factor and additional panels are used to help rule out similar conditions.

Ultrasound imaging plays an important role in the diagnostic workup. Our in-office diagnostic ultrasound centers provide real-time imaging of joints, soft tissue, and tendons without radiation, and every scan is interpreted by a physician trained specifically in rheumatology, not a general radiologist. Because PMR symptoms overlap closely with those of other inflammatory conditions, this level of imaging capability directly supports diagnostic accuracy. 

In some cases, a patient’s prompt symptom improvement after starting corticosteroids can also serve as a confirmatory indicator that PMR may be the correct diagnosis.

Your Polymyalgia Rheumatica Treatment Options

Corticosteroids such as prednisone are the primary and most effective treatment for PMR. Patients often experience significant symptom relief within days of starting treatment. Because corticosteroid dosage must be reduced gradually, PMR treatment typically requires a long course of medication, often one to two years or longer, with careful tapering to the lowest effective dose that keeps inflammation under control. A rheumatologist monitors your inflammatory markers throughout this process, and if symptoms flare during tapering, the steroid dose may be temporarily adjusted.

For patients who can’t tolerate corticosteroids or have difficulty tapering, immunosuppressant medications such as methotrexate may be considered as a secondary steroid-sparing option. Over-the-counter NSAIDs such as naproxen or ibuprofen may also be recommended to manage mild pain and inflammation. For patients who develop giant cell arteritis, the biologic medication ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) may be considered as part of treatment.

When biologic infusion therapy is part of your treatment plan, our IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Centers are located within our offices, giving you access to advanced infusions at a substantially lower cost than hospital-based treatment, with an on-site medical professional supervising every session. We also work with most major insurance plans and can help you access copay assistance options that make care even more affordable.

Are you a PMR patient looking for professional care? Call Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates at (856) 424-5005 to schedule a consultation with our specialists!

OUR PRACTICE by the Numbers

Over fifty years of independent rheumatology care, measured in facts.
  • 50 +
    Years in Practice

    Founded in 1974. Still independent. Still focused exclusively on rheumatology.

  • 29,000 +
    INFUSIONS IN A SINGLE YEAR

    Completed across seven IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Centers, all inside our offices.

  • 18
    Providers

    Every one fellowship-trained in rheumatology and board-certified or board-eligible.

  • 7
    New Jersey Offices

    Serving South and Central Jersey and the Philadelphia region from Voorhees to Brick.

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Patient Portal Call (856) 424-5005

Questions About Your Rheumatology Care

What is rheumatology?
Rheumatology is the branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating diseases of the joints, bones, muscles, and immune system. Rheumatologists manage conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, gout, and more than 100 other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
How is a rheumatologist different from a general practitioner?
After internal medicine residency, rheumatologists complete two to three additional years of fellowship training in diseases of the joints and immune system. Every physician at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates completed this training. A general practitioner does not have this specialized background.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring any prior lab results, imaging studies, or records from your primary care physician or previous specialists. A list of current medications is also helpful. Your physician will review everything before the examination and use it to inform your diagnostic workup.
How does in-office infusion therapy work?
Biologic medications for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are sometimes administered intravenously rather than by pill or injection. Our IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Centers provide this treatment inside our offices with a medical professional supervising every session, at substantially lower cost than hospital-based infusion.
Is in-office ultrasound the same as radiology imaging?
Diagnostic ultrasound in our offices provides real-time images of joints, tendons, and soft tissue without radiation. Unlike a radiology referral, every scan at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates is interpreted by a physician with specific rheumatology training, so findings are evaluated in the context of your condition, not in isolation.
Do you coordinate with my primary care physician?
Yes. We collaborate closely with referring and primary care physicians, sharing records and findings so your care stays consistent across providers. You won't need to repeat your history or serve as the messenger between offices.