Diabetes comes with numerous complications, and joint pain is a common yet often overlooked one. Joint pain, sometimes brushed aside as minor discomfort, can significantly hinder your daily activities. Diabetes-related joint pain typically stems from issues like inflammation and poor blood circulation, necessitating personalised care. At Sri Balaji Hospital, one of the best ortho hospitals in Chennai, we specialise in treating joint pain associated with diabetes. By addressing the underlying factors, we help patients achieve a healthier, more active lifestyle.
How Diabetes Affects Your Joints
Diabetes is marked by high blood sugar levels, which can damage nerves, impair blood flow, and contribute to obesity. These factors can impact your joints in several ways:
- Diabetic neuropathy, which leads to nerve damage, reduces sensation and increases the risk of joint injuries.
- Arterial disease affects joints by reducing blood flow.
- Extra body weight stresses joints, speeding up wear and tear.
Understanding these impacts is important to recognise the different types of diabetes-related joint issues you may experience.
Types of Diabetes Joint Pain & Problems
Osteoarthritis
Though often linked to ageing, osteoarthritis in diabetes is aggravated by obesity, especially in type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar, together with diabetes, can affect joint health—elevated levels can cause Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) to form, accumulating in joint tissues and causing inflammation and cartilage damage. This accelerates joint wear and tear, increasing osteoarthritis pain and stiffness.
Being overweight stresses joints, especially weight-bearing ones like knees and hips, speeding up cartilage breakdown. Additionally, body fat secretes inflammatory substances, contributing to systemic inflammation and further harming joint health. Even slight weight loss can relieve joint pressure and reduce knee strain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Diabetes and RA are linked, as both are autoimmune diseases where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Having diabetes, particularly type 1, increases the risk of RA, partly due to shared inflammatory markers like interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, as well as the autoimmune nature of type 1 diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, while in RA, it targets joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. This autoimmune attack can make individuals with type 1 diabetes more susceptible to developing RA.
DISH (Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis)
DISH is a form of arthritis causing tendon and ligament hardening, affecting the spine and possibly other areas. The DISH-diabetes link involves insulin or insulin-like growth factors, which are elevated in type 2 diabetes and may stimulate abnormal bone growth related to DISH.
Managing blood sugar levels is vital to addressing DISH, underscoring the need for comprehensive diabetes care to prevent and manage this condition.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis—a condition marked by shoulder joint stiffness and pain—is closely linked to diabetes. High blood sugar makes shoulder collagen sticky, restricts movement, and causes discomfort.
Early intervention and controlling blood sugar levels are crucial to managing this condition, highlighting the importance of comprehensive diabetes care in preserving shoulder health and overall quality of life.
Also Read : Understanding the Connection Between Uric Acid, Gout & Joint Pain
Limited Joint Mobility
Limited joint mobility, also called diabetic hand syndrome or diabetic neuroarthropathy, causes stiffness in hand and finger joints, making it hard to fully extend fingers or press palms flat together. This condition is more common in long-term diabetes and is thought to be caused by connective tissue changes related to the disease.
Hand skin may thicken, restricting finger movement. While mainly affecting hands, it can impact other joints, like shoulders, feet, and ankles. Physical therapy can help maintain flexibility and functional capabilities, although the restrictions in movement resulting from this condition may not be entirely reversible. Effectively managing diabetes and staying proactive about joint health can help minimise the impact of limited joint mobility on your daily life.
Charcot’s Joint
Among diabetes complications, Charcot’s joint, or neuropathic arthropathy, poses a significant challenge, mainly affecting feet and ankles. It results from diabetic nerve damage, leading to bone, joint, and tissue deterioration. Loss of sensation from diabetic neuropathy plays a key role, often following untreated injury or infection.
Charcot’s joint challenges extend beyond physical symptoms, complicating affected lives. Early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent severe outcomes. Treatment strategies often involve limiting weight-bearing activities and using orthotic supports to stabilise the affected joint and surrounding structures. However, managing complex diabetic foot conditions requires specialised orthopaedic care.
Ways to Prevent & Manage Diabetes Joint Pain
Adopting lifestyle changes can help lower the risk of diabetes joint pain and musculoskeletal issues. Here are a few key strategies to manage diabetes and prevent joint discomfort:
- Diet & Nutrition: A balanced diet is vital for managing diabetes and maintaining joint health. Include diverse nutrients in meals, focusing on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. These foods help regulate blood sugar and boost overall health. Cutting down on sugar and avoiding processed foods are also crucial.
- Regular Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps control blood sugar, manage weight, and improve heart health. Activities like walking, swimming, and cycling can be beneficial.Note: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly, but always consult your healthcare provider before starting new exercises.
- Weight Management: Extra weight strains joints and increases insulin resistance, worsening joint pain. Even minimal weight loss can significantly reduce joint stress and improve blood sugar levels.
Take Control to Manage Diabetes & Joint Pain
Managing diabetes effectively is essential for preventing and reducing joint pain. A personalised medical approach is key to addressing the specific needs of each patient. At Sri Balaji Hospital, Chennai, we provide comprehensive care tailored to help manage diabetes-related joint pain. With expert support and advanced facilities, we ensure you receive the highest quality treatment and care, helping you reduce discomfort and lead a healthier, more active lifestyle. Contact us today and take the first step towards better joint health and diabetes management.
