Diabetics should treasure their bones

While there are no known reasons, diabetics are prone to joint and tissue pains, with doctors asking them not to neglect such conditions because of their potential to adversely impact lifestyle

Diabetics frequently struggle with joint and tissue pains. However, they seldom attend to such pains, point out orthopaedics and physiotherapists.

While there are no known reasons as to why joint and tissue pains are common among diabetics, doctors ask patients not to neglect such conditions because of their potential to adversely impact lifestyle.

“Diabetics should learn to treasure their bones. There are no known reasons, but diabetics suffer a lot from joint and tissues pains. I usually ask patients to be vigilant and look for pains, which are the telltale signs for something more complicated,” said joint replacement specialist Naresh P. Hanagodu at a recent talk on diabetics and joint paints, organised by Diabetes Self Care Foundation in Hyderabad

Cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, trigger finger, carpel tunnel syndrome and osteoporosis are common conditions among diabetes, he said.

“All these medical conditions are manageable with good therapy. But most patients come to us at a stage when the damage to joints and nerves is extensive,” he lamented.

In frozen shoulder condition, inflammation and thickening occurs in the shoulder capsule. The condition does not require surgery and can be dealt with physical therapy.

Initially, those with frozen shoulder have pain, but can move their shoulders. After that, the shoulder becomes stiff and immovable.

“The ideal treatment for most joint paints is exercise under a physiotherapist. Pain-killers, administering ultrasound high-frequency and low-frequency current that produces a massaging effect can also be used,” says physiotherapist M. Manjunatha.

Trigger finger is a condition in which the finger becomes stiff, bent and in some cases swollen. In carpal tunnel (CT) syndrome, the tendons under the bone thicken due to compression of nerve under the wrist.

“Most of these joint pains can be managed by physiotherapy and steroids. The last option is surgery,” Dr. Naresh said.

The surgeon, however, said diabetics should avoid taking steroids.

“It’s better to avoid taking steroids and depend on physiotherapy,” he added.