Obesity and damage to the blood vessels and nerves due to abnormal blood sugar causes bones and joint disorder in diabetic patients.
Diabetic arthropathy or Charcot joint is the common joint disorder caused to nerve damage in diabetic patients.
Signs and symptoms of Diabetic arthropathy are
- Swelling around the Finger joints
- Your joints may lose its normal shape
- Loss of sensation around the affected joints
- Abnormal sensation like tingling or pricking sensation
- Unable to bear weight
- Timely diagnosis and intervention can definitely prevent further progression.
Diabetic hand syndrome is a condition in which the skin over the hands become waxy and thick. It also causes the restriction in the joint movements of the hand. This is usually seen in persons with very long standing and untreated diabetes. It is uncommon among general population and exact cause is also not known yet.
Physiotherapy will definitely improve the condition and prevent further progression.
Osteoarthritis - Individual suffering with Type 2 diabetes and obesity are more prone to osteoarthritis. In this the cartilage inside the joint between the bones is degenerated.
Signs and symptoms are
- Pain in the affected joints
- Limited joint movements or stiffness
- Reduced flexibility
- Swelling
Weight loss , exercise , proper medication , physiotherapy , oil massage and vasti will improve the condition.
Frozen shoulder
Majority of people suffering with diabetes have high chance of getting frozen shoulder.
Signs and symptoms
- Pain and tenderness over the shoulder region
- Unable to lift the hand over head
- Decreased range of shoulder movements.
Physiotherapy plays a very important role in management of frozen shoulder. In Ayurvedic Rasna saptaka kashayam and trayodashanga guggulu are very effective. External treatments like patra pinda sveda , kukkutanda sveda will drastically reduce the pain.
Forestier Disease - It is commonly known as DISH - Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Usually spine is mostly affected. There will be hardening and thickening of tendons and ligaments around the joints along with extra growth of bone.
Symptoms are pain and restricted movement. Advanced stage may require surgical intervention.
Dupuytren Deformity - It is a condition characterised by pain , contracture of fingers and you will be unable to straighten the affected fingers. It is caused due to thickening of tendons , ligaments and other connective tissues in the palm. It is usually seen in persons with diabetes for very long period.
External treatments like abhyanga , sevda along with physiotherapy will reduce the symptoms.
Wishing you good health always ,
Dr. Revathi Sundarmurthy , B.A.M.S. ,
Ayurvedacharya , Nirogam India (P) Ltd. ,
