Why do they need bone protection?
Long-term steroids can weaken the bones (osteoporosis), so doctors often offer medicine to protect them, and sometimes a bone density scan.
The full answer, with the sources, is in the guide.
Sources
- NHS: Polymyalgia rheumatica, treatment
- Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis): Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
Reviewed 2026-11-09 · next review 2027-11-09