We often associate diabetes with more common complications such as nerve damage, vascular compromise, vascular compromise, vision problems or kidney issues. But there is a lesser known condition that silently affects your mobility limiting flexibility across different parts of the body.
Studies reveal, uncontrolled sugar slowly takes a toll on the body’s tiniest blood vessels. The same circulation that damages the vessels in eyes and kidneys, also impairs circulation on spine. This microvascular damage limits the delivery of essential nutrients to the spinal discs and vertebrae, reducing their resilience. As a result, discs become weaker over time and loose their cushioning ability, making the spine more vulnerable. A study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology reveals that poor microcirculation in people with diabetes accelerates disc degeneration and increases the risk of chronic pain.
However, mobility risks in diabetic patients are not just limited to the spine.
Diabetic Cheiroarthropathy, a condition linked to long-term blood sugar control issues can effect both comfort and mobility in the longer run. While not life-threatening, the condition develops slowly and is often mistaken for arthritis or muscle fatigue. However, it affects the hands in the longer run, making it difficult to move fingers, maintain grip, or carry out everyday activities comfortably.
In people suffering with long-term diabetes, the skin on the hands often becomes tight, thick and less flexible. High blood sugar levels alters the way collagen behaves impacting joint flexibility functions. As a result, it becomes thicker impacting elasticity. When coupled with poor glucose levels it can drastically harm small blood vessels and nerves, further escalating the issue and resulting in limited movement of the fingers.
While knee pain is one of the most common symptoms among diabetic patients, many patients tend to focus on painful neuropathy or numbness in the feet. Ignorant of the fact that diabetes rigorously effects the joints, patients can face more serious complications and even knee damage if left unnoticed. Further, inflammation from high glucose level in long-term diabetic patients magnify the pain and discomfort in the joints making them more prone to osteoarthritis (wear and tear of the knee joint), as well as tendinitis and other overuse injuries.
The unrelenting epidemic of diabetes in India has skyrocketed in the last decades. According to the ICMR–INDIAB study, the estimated number of individuals with diabetes in India was 32 million in the year 2000, which rose to 63 million by 2012, 74 million in 2021, 1 and it is now 101 million. What is more worrying is the rising prevalence of Type-2 diabetes among young Indians due to sedentary lifestyles, obesity, family history of diabetes and carbs loaded diets. Studies reveal, young-onset of Type-2 diabetes among Indians between 18-40 years of age is close to 17.2% alone in Southern India, while pre-existing type 2 diabetes is 11.3 %, along with 5.8 % of new cases with no previous history of diabetes.
Despite such high risks most Indians are unware of the long-lasting impact of diabetes on mobility and preventive measures one should take in the early onset of the condition.
While conscious lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, yoga, swimming, brisk walking along with diet changes like abstaining from sugar and foods with high glycaemic index play a vital role in controlling diabetes, often misunderstood are the orthopedic solutions that are crucial solutions to maintain mobility and flexibility. When integrated with regular exercise and conscious lifestyle choices, these aids can help get rid of long-term risks related to osteoporosis due to diabetes. For instance, supportive belts and wraps help stabilize the spine, reducing undue stress on the lumbar and cervical regions during daily activities or physical exertion. Cushions, specially designed for seating or sleeping, promote proper spinal alignment, alleviating pressure on intervertebral discs and preventing postural imbalances that can lead to chronic pain. Similarly, wrist braces with thumb support can help provide targeted compression, reducing pressure on the wrist and thumb for effective discomfort relief and promoting faster recovery in case of injuries. Knee caps and wraps can support to improve stability, reduce swelling, and manage pain by enhancing blood circulation, especially in patients with diabetes and constant knee related issues.
Undoubtedly, diabetes is a lifestyle disease that is putting millions of Indians at risk of several serious diseases. However, the largely overlooked issues related to ‘mobility’ and ‘flexibility’ should be considered a priority provided its long-term impact on something as crucial as proper movement of varied parts of the body.
Authored by: Dr. Abhishek Samuel, MS Ortho – Advisor, Orthopedic & Mobility Aids Division, Leeford Healthcare Limited
