A 66-year-old man has new shoulder and hip girdle pain with morning stiffness. ESR is 78 mm/hour. He also reports scalp tenderness and jaw pain while

Question

A 66-year-old man has new shoulder and hip girdle pain with morning stiffness. ESR is 78 mm/hour. He also reports scalp tenderness and jaw pain while chewing. What is the most important next step?

Accepted Answer

Urgent same-day assessment and corticosteroid treatment for suspected giant cell arteritis

Answer

Low-dose ibuprofen and review in 6 months

Answer

Non-urgent shoulder X-ray

Answer

Reassurance about age-related stiffness

Answer

Routine physiotherapy referral

Giant cell arteritis — PARA MCQ

A 66-year-old man has new shoulder and hip girdle pain with morning stiffness. ESR is 78 mm/hour. He also reports scalp tenderness and jaw pain while chewing. What is the most important next step?