polymyalgia rheumatica

polymyalgia rheumatica A disorder of the muscles and joints that is characterized by pain and stiffness that affect both sides of the body and involves the shoulders, arms, neck, and buttock areas. Abbreviated PMR. PMR generally affects persons who are over the age of 50 years. Blood testing in a person with PMR usually shows a significantly elevated sedimentation rate. PMR is characteristically very responsive to treatment with low doses of cortisone-related medications, such as prednisone.