People with type 2 diabetes have greater risk of tendon pain, study suggests

[DCUK NewsBot]

People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have tendon pain, which might affect adherence to exercise regimes, new research suggests. Researchers at Monash University, Melbourne observed that people with type 2 diabetes are over three times more likely to be diagnosed with tendon pain, known as tendinopathy, compared to people without diabetes. Tendinopathy occurs when tendons, the soft tissues that connect bones to muscles, become inflamed or injured, often due to repetitive movements or overuse. This condition can make exercise harder, which is important for the management of diabetes. In this new study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers highlighted that people with type 2 diabetes might be susceptible to tendinopathy because of prolonged high blood sugar levels. Lead researcher Jamie Gaida and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 31 previous studies. 26 focused on people with type 2 diabetes, while five focused on people with diagnosed tendinopathy. They found that people with type 2 diabetes were three times more likely to develop tendinopathy compared to people without diabetes, while people with tendinopathy were 30 per cent more likely to have diabetes. Furthermore, people with diabetes and tendinopathy had a longer duration of diabetes, while type 2 diabetic participants also had thicker tendons than control participants, which is often seen in tendinopathy. Gaida told Reuters Health: "Tendinopathy is a problem for two key reasons. First, feeling pain during movements that load the tendon is unpleasant, and second, having a painful tendon stops you being physically active." Gaida added that people with diabetes who develop tendon pain should seek early medication attention, while gradually increasing activity levels can reduce the progression of tendinopathy. "Physiotherapists/Physical Therapists are uniquely skilled to help you recover from tendinopathy and return to your chosen activity," said Gaida. "[People with diabetes] should absolutely be physically active, as it is one of the most effective treatments for diabetes."

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[Indy51]

Always amuses me to read these studies discovering effects of diabetes that Dr Bernstein has been writing about for years

 

[Chook]

I've had tendon related issues since I was diagnosed and my GP won't believe that it's connected to diabetes so it's nice to have the connection confimed.

 

[Indy51]

It's pretty well known (except to your GP apparently). Both Jenny Ruhl and Dr Bernstein have written about it:

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16162241.php
http://www.diabetes-book.com/long-term-sequelae/ (there is a downloadable PDF of the chapter from Dr B's book)

I've been getting slow but steady improvement to mine since taking a Vitamin K2 supplement - I have a lot of soft tissue calcification associated with my tendinopathies and I'm hoping the K2 is helping to clear them.

 

[Chook]

I'm beginning to think that my 'diabetes specialising' GP knows bog all about diabetes. JMHO

 

[PatsyB]

my knees ache like mad after exercise maybe it has something to do with the above....

 

[kesun]

It would be interesting to know how many of the T2 subjects were also on statins, possibly adding joint and muscle pain to their tendon pain.

Kate

 

[thirdchancedave]

Hi this sounds like my symptems I do powerlifting and it is getting harder to workout. I have been blaming my tablets but this sounds more like it. Since December my doctor has been changing my tablets around. Trying to get my legs to work. I was due to enter a competition at the end of February but had to cancel because I was unable to train. I am currently on Metformine my doctor before Christmas said he would change my tablets. But on my appointment day all they did was change the tablets to slow release well that did it. Was booked in for blood test on arrival could not breath had to wait till I got my breath back only walked from car to reception. Nurse got me to see doctor straight away he changed me back to normal Metformine and another tablet. Still out of breath still got leg pains tired head feels like it is swollen. Early days yet.

 

[thirdchancedave]

It would be interesting to know how many of the T2 subjects were also on statins, possibly adding joint and muscle pain to their tendon pain.

Kate

Hi Kate I dont know if you recall an artical in Daily Mail last August but that was me and yes I was on statins for years. This is a new thing for me see how it pans out

 

[Cindylover1969]

People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have tendon pain, which might affect adherence to exercise regimes, new research suggests. Researchers at Monash University, Melbourne observed that people with type 2 diabetes are over three times more likely to be diagnosed with tendon pain, known as tendinopathy, compared to people without diabetes. Tendinopathy occurs when tendons, the soft tissues that connect bones to muscles, become inflamed or injured, often due to repetitive movements or overuse. This condition can make exercise harder, which is important for the management of diabetes. In this new study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers highlighted that people with type 2 diabetes might be susceptible to tendinopathy because of prolonged high blood sugar levels. Lead researcher Jamie Gaida and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 31 previous studies. 26 focused on people with type 2 diabetes, while five focused on people with diagnosed tendinopathy. They found that people with type 2 diabetes were three times more likely to develop tendinopathy compared to people without diabetes, while people with tendinopathy were 30 per cent more likely to have diabetes. Furthermore, people with diabetes and tendinopathy had a longer duration of diabetes, while type 2 diabetic participants also had thicker tendons than control participants, which is often seen in tendinopathy. Gaida told Reuters Health: "Tendinopathy is a problem for two key reasons. First, feeling pain during movements that load the tendon is unpleasant, and second, having a painful tendon stops you being physically active." Gaida added that people with diabetes who develop tendon pain should seek early medication attention, while gradually increasing activity levels can reduce the progression of tendinopathy. "Physiotherapists/Physical Therapists are uniquely skilled to help you recover from tendinopathy and return to your chosen activity," said Gaida. "[People with diabetes] should absolutely be physically active, as it is one of the most effective treatments for diabetes."

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That would explain why I occasionally get a sensitive feeling in the Achilles tendon of my fight foot which makes me a limp a little (and I do have a few pains in my right side... although it could be a spinal thing?)