Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes: Many people are aware of the fact that diabetes can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve disease. In fact, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy are the most common complications of diabetes. In addition, diabetes can silently lead to heart disease. A majority of people are not aware that diabetes can also cause weaker bones and fragile and brittle bones with diminishing muscles and bone strength.

Why does someone with diabetes get the bone disease?

First of all, it is a well-established fact that when you have diabetes, you are most likely to get bone and joint disorders. The reasons for this could be many, but diabetes-induced nerve disease, arterial disease, and obesity can cause weaker bones and muscles and lead to bone, joint, and muscle disorders.
The following are some of the common orthopedic and joint conditions (bone and joint problems associated with diabetes):

Frozen shoulder

This joint disorder is associated with severe shoulder pain and a restricted range of shoulder movement. It mostly affects only one shoulder. Though the cause is idiopathic, diabetes is a common risk factor. The symptoms may include pain, reduced shoulder joint movement, tenderness and stiffness in the joint, and restricted movement of the shoulder. Orthopedic treatment may involve steroid injections and physical therapy.

Dupuytren Contracture

In this condition, the connective tissue of fingers and hand becomes thick and lead to scarring. Finger deformity in which one or more fingers may bend towards the palm may result. The common risk factor is long-term diabetes which may lead to metabolic changes resulting in deformity.
The symptoms may include stiffness in fingers thickening of the skin of the hand and fingers and palm and inability to straighten one or more fingers. In severe cases, this condition may prevent you from being able to grasp objects. To treat this condition, orthopedic doctors perform a minimally invasive technique called aponeurotomy to break the thick tissue. To reduce pain and inflammation, steroid injections may be given. The other treatment options may include collagenase enzyme injection and surgery.

Forestier Disease or Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)

In this condition, the tendons and ligaments that support the spine become stiff and hard. DISH is commonly seen in type 2 diabetic patients. It may be due to insulin-like growth factors or insulin that promote new bone growth. The symptoms may include reduced movement or motion in the affected joint or body part – usually in the spine. There is also stiffness in the neck, back, and spine if DISH affects your spine. Treatment is planned and given to manage symptoms. To relieve pain, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and corticosteroid injections are given.

Osteoarthritis of the knee and Hip Joint

In this joint condition the cartilage that supports joints breakdown. It can occur in any joint of the body, but most commonly occur in the knee and hip joint. Obese people and people with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of osteoarthritis. The typical symptoms of this condition may include joint stiffness, pain, swelling, and loss of joint movement or flexibility.
The treatment may involve physical therapy, pain relieving medications, exercise, weight management, taking rest, and medication. Alternative treatment modalities and therapies may prove beneficial, but for severe cases of loss of cartilage (bone-on-bone condition) knee or hip replacement may be recommended.

Osteoporosis

In this type of bone disorder, bones loss their mineral density and become porous, weak, fragile, and brittle. The risk of broken bones increases with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In the early stages, osteoporosis doesn’t cause any symptoms, but as the disease gets advanced the risk of broken bones, loss of height, and stooped posture increases. The main line of treatment is a balanced diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, fruits, and vegetables. Doctors prescribe supplements if necessary. In addition, a healthy lifestyle, walking, and weight-bearing exercises may also help prevent the disease from progressing.

Bottom Line

There are many other bones and joint problems associated with diabetes. We will discuss those problems in detail in our next article. If you have any other concerns regarding your joint health and bone condition especially if you have diabetes, then meet Dr. Vasudeva Juvvadi