Diabetes and Joint Pain: What You Can Do About It?
Living with diabetes means more than just managing blood sugar—it can also lead to joint pain. High blood sugar levels (BSL) can damage nerves, blood vessels, and even the tissues that support your joints, making movement painful and difficult. Studies show that nearly half of adults with diabetes may also suffer from arthritis or other joint-related issues.
How does this happen?
When blood sugar stays high for long periods, it damages the cartilage between joints. This leads to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Common joint issues seen in diabetics include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Dupuytren’s Contracture (fingers curl inward due to thick tissue in the palm)
- Frozen Shoulder Rotator Cuff Pain
- Diabetic Neuropathy (nerve damage in various body parts)
- Charcot’s Joint (causes joint collapse due to lack of sensation)
- Osteoarthritis (especially in overweight individuals)
Being overweight adds pressure to joints, especially in the knees and hips, increasing pain and lowering mobility. The extra weight also raises your diabetes risk and worsens symptoms.
What can you do?
The best way to manage joint pain linked with diabetes is to control blood sugar through a healthy diet, regular physical activity, weight loss, and stress management. Losing just 5 kg can reduce pressure on your knees by nearly 20 kg!
With proper care, medical support, and lifestyle changes, it’s even possible to reverse diabetes. This not only improves blood sugar control but also reduces joint pain and many related complications.
