Polymyalgia Rheumatica Home Care in Delhi: A Clinical Case Study

Patient Background

The patient is a 72-year-old male residing in South Delhi with his spouse. Before his diagnosis, he led an active lifestyle, regularly attending morning walks and managing his daily routines independently. He has a history of mild hypertension, managed well with oral medication.

His family situation involved his wife acting as the primary caregiver. However, due to her own age-related physical limitations, she was unable to safely assist him out of bed or chairs during his acute episodes of stiffness. Their children live outside Delhi and visit periodically.

His baseline function was completely independent. The reason for seeking medical intervention was a sudden onset of severe aching and stiffness in his shoulders, neck, and hips, which was particularly aggressive in the mornings, leaving him bedbound for the first few hours of the day.

Clinical Diagnosis

The patient was clinically diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), an inflammatory condition that commonly causes pain and stiffness around the shoulders, neck, and hips, particularly in older adults. This condition made walking, dressing, bathing, and other everyday activities extremely difficult.

Neurological findings remained intact with no focal deficits. The primary clinical findings were musculoskeletal, characterized by bilateral proximal muscle pain without true muscle weakness, a hallmark of PMR.

Hospital Treatment

As PMR is typically managed in an outpatient setting, the patient was not hospitalized overnight. He was evaluated at a local clinic in South Delhi. The treating physician prescribed a specific course of corticosteroids to rapidly reduce inflammation. The doctor also recommended home healthcare support to assist with his daily activities and medication adherence during the initial weeks of treatment.

Why Home Healthcare Was Needed

The medical reasoning for home healthcare was centered around fall prevention and medication management. The patient experienced significant morning stiffness that severely limited his mobility. Attempting to get out of bed unassisted posed a severe fall risk.

Furthermore, his spouse could not physically support his weight or assist with transfers safely. Professional patient care services were clinically appropriate to ensure his safety during the acute phase of the condition and to monitor his response to the prescribed corticosteroids.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica Home Care in Delhi

A personalized Polymyalgia Rheumatica Home Care in Delhi plan was developed according to the patient’s needs and treating doctor’s recommendations. The family opted for a combination of home nursing and a dedicated patient care taker.

Recovery Timeline

Clinical Evidence

Structured data below represents the documented care interventions and observed functional improvements. No specific laboratory values were provided in the uploaded inputs.

Functional & Symptom Monitoring Table

Medical Authority

Dr. Ekta Fageriya, MBBS

Specialization: Geriatric Medicine

RMC Registration No.: 44780

Clinical Experience: 7 Years

Supporting Clinical Documents

Recovery Outcome

With consistent home support and appropriate medical follow-up, the patient was able to maintain a safer daily routine and participate more independently in essential activities.

• Mobility: Improved from being bedbound in the mornings to walking independently indoors.
• Pain: Reduced from severe and functionally limiting to mild and manageable.
• Medical Stability: No adverse reactions to corticosteroids. Blood pressure remained stable.
• Family Feedback: The spouse reported a drastic reduction in physical strain and mental anxiety. The children felt confident about their father’s safety in Delhi.
• Remaining Challenges: Long-term monitoring for potential PMR relapses and managing the gradual tapering of steroids.

Key Clinical Learnings

Frequently Asked Questions