PMR is a default diagnosis which to me means that any given pain could be something other than PMR as the root cause. I found this to be true when the ortho Dx-ed osteoarthritis in both my knees and in both of my shoulders. I also had a town meniscus in one knee. Oral steroids are not the solution to any of these problems - scary since it could cause me to take more steroids than needed for PMR alone. I also had abdominal tumors that necessitated a hysterectomy. Needless to say I have learned not to lump pain into the PMR bucket until all alternate causes have been eliminated. My Rheumy was/is willing to simply assume PMR is the culprit.