I feel I may have PMR again after two years off pred. However CRP and ESR within normal limits. Have had a tkr 7 weeks ago and saw my othopaedic consultant few days ago who said he would ask GP to give a short dose of steroids (he thought symptoms maybe from using crutches)
Has anyone had short dose in relapse and it helped? Also are blood tests always correct with ESR and CRP?
thank you
No, ESR and CRP aren't always reliable, they can lag a long way behind symptoms and up to 20% of cases have levels that are not outwith normal range. People I know who have had PMR ore than once have said he episodes were totally different from each other. And yes - using crutches can feel very like PMR in terms of aches, less so stiffness though. But of course - the TKR could have triggered PMR too.
Orthopods are often not very good at drugs - if it is PMR I doubt a short course would sort it entirely but he is more likely using it diagnostically. Which may or may not work! Do painkillers help? If it is sore muscles due to crutches then they probably would, not so sure pred would though.
Consultant may be correct - crutches, if you're not used to them, can cause upper arm/shoulder issues. But is he basing his request to GP on thinking it might be PMR flare (in which Pred may help) or just using muscles differently (where they may not).
CRP/ESR can be caused by many things - my ESR went bonkers after TKR, followed by THR within 6 months.....GCA been in remission for 4 years.
So see how you go with short term steroid use, and then if you still have pains, follow up with another round of tests and discuss with GP.
For our GCAPro. Surgery/relapse 
Relapse with blurred vison
Relapse after having Covid
Am I having a relapse?
