National Diabetes Week is running from the 14th until the 20th of July. It is an initiative by Diabetes Australia to increase awareness of diabetes related complications. It is aimed at highlighting the various health issues that can occur due to diabetes. We would like to take the opportunity during Diabetes Week to draw attention to tendon problems in diabetic patients, an issue commonly overshadowed by the more common diabetic complaints.
There is overwhelming evidence showing increased risk of injury to tendons, joints, bones and cartilage even if your diabetes is well controlled. The risk of a diabetic person developing tendon pain or tendinopathy is approximately 3 times that of a non-diabetic person. In addition, diabetes related tendinopathy can reduce a person’s ability to exercise and complete activities of daily life. Being unable to exercise then has detrimental consequences in terms of blood glucose control and weight management.
Tendinopathy or tendon pain is a disabling condition affecting the tendon structure, which is usually characterised by a thickened tendon and pain on movement. Contributing to this, diabetes has a significant impact on the function of tendons making them stiffer and thicker. Elevated blood glucose levels can then result in prolonged healing times meaning the disabling nature of tendon pain lasts longer. Furthermore, tendon healing may be compromised due to diabetes-induced changes in blood flow. This has been shown to be similar in both well controlled and poorly controlled diabetes and in type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetic patients.
Podiatrists have specific expertise in diabetic tendons through their unique knowledge of musculoskeletal issues, biomechanics and diabetes. Reducing your diabetes related musculoskeletal pain is something with which the highly skilled podiatrists at Newcastle Family and sports podiatry can help you. We will tailor our care to your needs and your specific condition.
A large portion of what we do as podiatrists is manage pain, typically brought about by poor function or large workloads within the school, work or sport arenas. In our experience toddlers through to young children with complexities such as poor alignment, excessive flexibility or poor muscle tone may experience what is often placed under the quite general term of “growing pains”.
We are extremely proud of the members of our staff who have formed a team to take on The Bloody Long Walk on 28th July in Newcastle.
