Treatment involves taking medications to help ease signs and symptoms.
- Corticosteroids - This condition is usually treated with a low dose of an oral corticosteroid such as prednisone. It provides relief from pain and stiffness. Most people need a course of steroid treatment lasting from 1 year to 2 years to prevent relapse.
- Calcium and Vitamin D - The doctor will prescribe daily doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements to prevent bone loss that occurs due to corticosteroid treatment.
- Methotrexate - Some doctors suggest using Methotrexate along with corticosteroids. This is an immune suppressing medication that has to be taken by mouth. It is useful earlier in the treatment or if a person relapses or if he or she does not respond to corticosteroid treatment.
People taking corticosteroids might need physiotherapy to return to their normal levels of activity. If a person had a long stretch of limited activity, then he or she might benefit from physical therapy.