More than 23 million Americans have diabetes, accounting for 7.8% of the population, according to the American Diabetes Association. Many complications arise from diabetes, including an increased risk of developing bone and joint diseases. The association between diabetes and bone diseases is complex and multiple factors, such as obesity and metabolic changes, may contribute.
Charcot Joint
Charcot joint is a type of neuropathic arthritis characterized by nerve damage resulting in joint deterioration. It primarily affects the feet of individuals with a long-standing history of type 1 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include numbness and tingling, loss of sensation, and swelling and deformity in the affected joints. It occurs in approximately 15 percent of individuals with diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis is a thinning of the bones that weakens them and increases the risk of fractures. Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder caused by the degeneration of the joint cartilage between bone resulting in joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, while those with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of osteoarthritis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Diabetic Hand Syndrome
Diabetic hand syndrome is a condition in which the skin on the hands becomes waxy and thickened. It can occur in individuals with type 2 diabetes, but is more common in those with type 1 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. The waxy and thickened skin limits finger movement and full extension of the fingers such that the palms can't be pressed flat together.
DISH
DISH, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, is a condition characterized by hardening of the tendons and ligaments. It generally affects the tendons and ligaments of the spine leading to pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion, but often no symptoms are present. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is associated with individuals with type 2 diabetes and may be contributed to insulin or insulin-like growth factors.
Dupuytren Contracture
Dupuytren contracture manifests as a deformity in which one or more fingers is bent toward the palm as a result of connective tissue scarring and thickening in the palm and fingers. The condition is typically painless and may be caused by diabetes-related metabolic changes, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is most often seen in individuals with a long history of diabetes.
Frozen Shoulder
Occurring in approximately 20% of individuals with diabetes, frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by pain and tenderness, limited range of motion, and joint stiffness in the shoulder, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition develops slowly and generally occurs in three stages. The first stage is called the "freezing" or "painful" stage, which lasts approximately six weeks to nine months and is followed by the "frozen" stage lasting four to nine months. The "thawing" stage is the final stage lasting five months to two years in which the shoulder slowly returns to normal, according to the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
