Lifestyle changes and diabetes management can help manage muscular and skeletal problems in people with diabetes.
Some people find diabetes a heavy burden. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause more than just typical symptoms. It could also lead to musculoskeletal complications. Dr. Abhijit Bhhograj, consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Manipal Hospital Bengaluru, said that uncontrolled diabetes could also be a problem. These complications can affect our joints; the most common is adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
Diabetes and joint problems: Link
Dr. Prashant Tejwani is a senior consultant in Orthopaedics at Narayana Health City Bengaluru. He explains that blood sugar levels can cause a severe decrease in blood supply to the shoulder joints. Hypoxia, a reduced oxygen supply to tissues, causes stiffening and restricts shoulder joint mobility.
Dr. Bhograj states that excessive glucose in the blood reacts with collagen fibers found in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This leads to excessive cellular crosslinking, which can cause stiffness, pain, and decreased shoulder movement.
What is a frozen shoulder?
As the name implies, a frozen shoulder is a condition where shoulder movement is severely restricted and painful. The cause is inflammation of connective tissues in the shoulder joint. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, frozen shoulder results from thickening shoulder capsules (called adhesions). The AAOS points out that this condition is prevalent in people with diabetes. In the Journal of Diabetes Research, a research article states that the prevalence of shoulder problems in people with diabetes is greater than that of non-diabetics (five percent).
Dr. Tejwani explains that the three stages of a frozen shoulder are freezing, freezing, and thawing. The first stage begins with a slow-growing pain in the shoulder. It gradually aggravates and restricts our shoulder movements. While the pain subsides, stiffness persists. These stages can last up to a few months. The final step will end with no pain and normal shoulder movement.
Frozen shoulder usually subsides on its own within a few months. Sometimes, however, it may be necessary to have surgery or medical intervention in extreme cases.
Initial symptoms of frozen shoulder
According to Dr. Tejwani, most people realize they have a frozen shoulder after suffering from severe shoulder pain while trying to comb or stretch their back.
Dr. Tejwani adds that people with diabetes who exert too much strain on their shoulder joints are at greater risk of developing conditions such as a frozen shoulder.
Rajesh Kumar, a Kerala-based diabetes coach, and certified exercise specialist said that a frozen shoulder is something he frequently sees while working with his diabetes clients. It is caused by inflammation of connective tissue that can be aggravated by excess sugar.
To avoid injury, they should start with low-intensity exercises to increase their range of motion in the shoulder joint. He says that some of these exercises are similar to the ones done during physiotherapy sessions to loosen joints. He points out that blood sugar control is an integral part of recovery. It will take time for people with frozen shoulders to regain mobility.
He adds that this condition can also be seen in people with diabetes.
Tendon damage from diabetes and other causes
Numerous studies have also shown that diabetes can cause tendon injuries and other conditions such as rotator-cuff tendinopathy and trigger finger. Excess blood glucose interacts negatively with collagen, causing it to harden the connective tissues.
Diabetes-related shoulder problems: How to manage them
Experts suggest preventing frozen shoulders could be prevented by controlling diabetes and engaging in activities that do not strain the shoulders. These experts suggest ways to treat shoulder pain caused by diabetes.
- To maintain healthy blood sugar levels, eat a diabetic-friendly diet.
- Active lifestyle, including daily exercise.
- Include calcium-rich foods such as milk and vegetables into your diet for better bone health.
- If possible, avoid unnecessary stress on your shoulder joint.
- If you have persistent shoulder pain or are diabetic, consult your doctor immediately.
- Patients are more likely to develop shoulder-related musculoskeletal conditions like frozen shoulders.
- Inflammation and hardening of connective tissues in the shoulder joint can lead to excess blood sugar. This can cause pain and limit shoulder mobility.
- Lifestyle changes and better diabetes management can manage these conditions.