
Joint Disorders Associated with Diabetes
Among the many side effects of diabetes are bone and joint problems.
There are a variety of musculoskeletal problems that can cause pain in the fingers, hands, wrists, shoulders, neck, spine, hips or feet.
There are many different types of musculoskeletal disorders, and some are unique to diabetes. The musculoskeletal system includes the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Problems in these areas can affect mobility or cause deformities, joint pain or stiffness, numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation in the arms or legs.
The statistical correlations between joint disease and diabetes are strong – the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 52 percent of people with arthritis also have diabetes – but the process tying the two together has not been determined. Diabetes is also the foremost cause of neuropathic joint disease in the U.S., with the foot as the most commonly affected region.
Charcot Joint
Charcot joint, also known as neuropathic arthropathy, is a diabetes-related disorder that results in damage to lower-limb joints. The deterioration is the result of nerve damage, a common side effect of diabetes. While occurring primarily in the feet, the ankles and hips may also suffer damage. Symptoms of the disorder may include pain, numbness or tingling, and the affected joint may become unstable or deformed.
Dupuytren's Contracture
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Dupuytren's contracture. Dupuytren's contracture causes knots to form in the layer of tissue underneath the skin of the palm. As these knots harden, they eventu
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