Upper limb stiffening is very common in diabetes

Adapted from BMJ 3 June 23

A study of 2000 people published in Diabetes Care, has found that disorders of the upper limb caused primarily by the stiffening of tendons are three to five times more common in Type One diabetics compared to the general population.

Women with diabetes are more commonly affected than men for most tendon problems except for Dupytren’s Contracture which often affects the pinky and ring finger tendons at the palm. (This problem also tends to be inherited more if you have Viking ancestors.)

The tendons affected in the shoulder cause frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist and forearm, and trigger finger in the fingers.