Alfuraih AM, et al. - Using ultrasound elastography, shear wave velocity (SWV) was calculated in the quadriceps, hamstrings and biceps brachii muscles of 14 patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) within the first 2 weeks of beginning glucocorticoid treatment (baseline) and repeated following 3 and 6 months treatment by the researchers in order to examine muscle stiffness variations in patients treated for GCA with high-dose oral glucocorticoids. Muscle SWV in patients did not vary significantly from controls at baseline. A decrease in SWV in the leg was observed with glucocorticoid treatment, although, it was not the arm muscles. In the quadriceps and hamstrings during the resting position, SWV reduced by a mean of 14% and 18% following 3 months and 6-months, respectively. Three and 6 months mean SWV for the vastus lateralis were 1.62 ± 0.16 m/s, 1.40 ± 0.10 m/s and 1.31 ± 0.06 m/s, respectively, at the baseline. No significant change in muscle strength was noted in the patient group as a whole. Nevertheless, there were modest associations between exhibiting weaker muscle strength at follow-up visits and a greater decrease in SWV. Hence, in patients with GCA, glucocorticoid therapy was correlated with a notable decrease in proximal leg muscle stiffness during the first 6 months. Prospective research should study a larger sample of patients for a longer term to review whether decreased muscle stiffness led to signs of glucocorticoid-induced myopathy.