Bone and Joint Problems Associated with Diabetes

People with diabetes are at high risk of several bone & joint disorders. Few factors like nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy, arterial disease & obesity could cause these problems, but often the reason is not clear. Below are several bone & joint disorders including symptoms & treatment :

Charcot Joint

Shahr-KOH or Charcot joint is also known as neuropathic arthropathy takes place when joint deteriorates due to nerve damage and this is a common complication of diabetes. Charcot joint mainly affects feet.

• Symptoms associated with Joint Pain: We may experience numbness & tingling or a loss of sensation in affected joints. They could get warmer, swollen and reddish & become deformed or unstable. The involved joints may even not be very painful in spite of its appearance.
• Treatment associated with Joint Pain: If identified in the early phase, the progress of disease could be curbed. Restricting the weight-bearing activities & use of the orthotic supports to affected join t7 surrounding structures could assist.

Diabetic Hand Syndrome

Diabetic hand syndrome is also known as diabetic cheiroarthropathy and is a disorder wherein which skin on hands get thickened and waxy. Eventually, finger movements get restricted. The reason behind a Diabetic hand syndrome is not known yet. It is most common in patients with diabetes for a long time.

• Symptoms associated with Diabetic Hand Syndrome: A patient may be unable to completely extend their fingers or even press their palms flat together.
• Treatment associated with Diabetic Hand Syndrome: Physical therapy and better management of the levels of blood glucose can restrict the progression of the condition, however, the restricted mobility might not be reversed.

Osteoporosis

It is a disorder which leads the bones to get weaker & prone to fractures. Patient with type 1 diabetes are at high risk of osteoporosis

Symptoms associated with Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis rarely leads to any symptoms in earlier phases. Consequently, patients may experience, stooped posture, loss of height or bone fractures in the advanced stages.

Treatment associated with Osteoporosis: Healthy lifestyle along with weight-bearing activities, walking & eating a balanced diet which is rich in vitamin D and Calcium along with supplements if required are best options for addressing the condition. In few patients having the more severe disease, medicines for prevention of further loss of bone may be required.