dLife membership gives you exclusive access! Get free recipes, newsletters, savings, and so much more!
Membership is FREE!

Sponsored by

Musculoskeletal Issues

The musculoskeletal system is comprised of the bones, muscles, joints, and tissues in and around the joints. Blood glucose that is poorly controlled for too long can affect the functioning of the musculoskeletal system resulting in a variety of disorders.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Up to 20% of people with diabetes are at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as median nerve entrapment. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of your hand. It contains nerve and tendons. The median nerve runs from the forearm into the hand. Thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the nerve to be compressed.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Sleep interruption due to numb hands
• Waking up with numb hands and pain
• Pain in hand and wrist
• Weakness in hand and wrist
• Pain radiating up the forearm
• Poor circulation, hands falling asleep
• Cold hands, warm forearms
• Loss of hand grip strength
• Loss of feeling in fingers/thumb
• Dropping objects, clumsiness
  

Symptoms usually start gradually and as they worsen, grasping objects can become difficult. Treatment includes resting the hand, splints, pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, and surgery.

Charcot Foot

Charcot foot is a sudden softening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have neuropathy. The bones are weakened enough to fracture and, with continued walking, the foot eventually changes shape. As the disorder progresses, the arch collapses and the foot takes on a convex shape, giving it a rocker-bottom appearance, making it very difficult to walk.

Charcot foot is a very serious condition that can lead to severe deformity, disability, and even amputation.

The symptoms of Charcot foot can appear after a sudden trauma or even a minor repetitive trauma, such as a long walk. A sudden trauma includes dropping something on the foot, or a sprain or fracture of the foot.

The symptoms of Charcot foot are similar to those of infection. Although Charcot foot and infection are different conditions, both are serious problems requiring medical treatment.

Charcot foot symptoms may include:

• Warmth to the touch (the foot feels warmer than the other)
• Redness in the foot
• Swelling in the area
• Pain or soreness
  

It is important to follow your doctor’s plan for treating charcot foot as further complications could lead to amputation. Possible treatment includes improvement and monitoring of blood glucose levels; immobilization via splinting/bracing until bones can repair themselves; custom shoes and bracing; modification of activities until healing takes place; or surgery.


>>NEXT: Read More About Musculoskeletal Disorders>>