Bone and joint disorders caused by diabetes

One of the first questions one might face during a medical examination is whether or not one is diabetic. There’s a good reason for this. High blood sugar, which is itself a result of insulin resistance, causes myriad health complications from mild—headaches, fatigue, increased urination, etc., to serious—kidney damage, cardiac arrest, stroke, blindness, etc. One of the little-known issues that diabetics must also face is fragility in their bones and joints.

This article takes a closer look at the major bone and joint disorders that come with type 2 diabetes, symptoms, and treatments.

1. Diabetic hand syndrome

Also known as Limited Joint Mobility, this health issue is caused by stiffness in the small joints of the hands due to the thickening of the skin on the hands. This thickening can spread to the shoulders, feet, and ankles as well. While the root cause isn’t clear, it is commonly seen in long-term diabetics.

Symptoms

Thickening and waxy texture of the skin on the back of the hands.

Treatment

Proper management of blood sugar levels (BSL) will slow the progress of this problem, but full movement of the joints may not be regained.

2. Charcot's joint

Nerve damage is a common side effect of diabetes. Sometimes, when the nerves in a joint or joints get damaged, it leads to a condition known as Charcot's joint. It usually affects the feet.

Symptoms

• Joints can become red, swollen, and unstable. The joint often will appear deformed
• While the appearance of the joint is not pleasant, it is not very painful.

Treatment

• Early diagnosis can help. Patients need to bring their BSL in normal ranges.
• Use of ortho supports and avoiding weight-bearing activities will help

3. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects hundreds of millions of people the world over—most of them above 40, the age when diabetes is most likely to strike. Type 2 diabetics are at a higher risk of osteoarthritis, though this is more a result of obesity than due to diabetes itself. Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of the cartilage of a joint. It can happen to just about any joint in the body.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

• Pain in the joints, swelling, stiffness
• Loss of joint flexibility

Osteoarthritis Treatment

• While advanced cases may require surgery, it is possible to prevent this problem and regain movement and flexibility to some extent through a combination of exercise, physical therapy, rest and medication.
• Alternative treatments like acupuncture have also been found to be helpful.

4. Frozen shoulder

This is a common problem that many diabetics suffer from. It can affect one or both shoulders. High blood sugar weakens the surrounding muscles and leaves the shoulder joint vulnerable.

Frozen shoulder Symptoms

• Pain /tenderness in the shoulder
• Limited range of motion

Frozen shoulder Treatment

• Physical therapy is very helpful in improving the range of motion
• Your doctor may also prescribe a corticoid injection in case the symptoms are severe

5. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (D.I.S.H)

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (aka, DISH or Forestier disease, is caused by the hardening of tendons and ligaments. It is most commonly seen in the spine. Some studies suggest that DISH may be caused due to insulin problems, or insulin-like growth factors that promote new bone growth.

Symptoms

• Pain, stiffness in the affected area
• Diminished range of motion in the affected area
• Stiffness in the back or neck—if it affects the spine

Treatment

• Treatment is mostly limited to pain management
• Your doctor may suggest corticosteroid injections to the affected area

6. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is characterized by weak bones that are prone to breaking easily. It is more commonly seen in people who have Type 1 diabetes, but Type 2 diabetics are also at risk, given that high blood sugar is often triggered by unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

• Stooped posture
• Broken bones

Osteoporosis Treatment

Adoption of a healthy lifestyle, I.e. regular physical exercise, a nutrient-rich diet—including supplements, as prescribed—and good stress management can help reduce the risk of suffering from this condition. If the disease has already progressed, medication and supplements will be needed to arrest bone loss and increase the mass density of the bone.

Takeaways

High blood sugar increases the fragility of joints and weakens muscles. Managing BSL and ensuring you get sufficient exercise will help reduce the risk of joint problems. Complement your exercise with a healthy, nutritious diet, preferably plant-based. Of course, the best solution is to fully reverse your diabetes; and this is realistically achievable through a proper plan involving diet, exercise, stress management, and medical supervision. For more information on how you can reverse your diabetes, subscribe to our Youtube Channel and Facebook page or enroll in an FFD diabetes reversal program via www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/programs.