What Is Diabetes Hand Syndrome?
Diabetes is associated with many conditions that may affect the hand or the wrist. Diabetes increases the risk of hand and joint diseases. The exact cause of the condition is not clear; however, it can affect the nerve or arteries that may lead to this condition. An individual usually depends on his/her hands to do countless things: Holding and carrying things, eating, writing, driving, and clapping. Almost all of the day-to-day activities involve hands. Hands contain 27 bones; the wrist alone has eight bones. Likewise, hands comprise muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and joint cases. Various issues can happen with the hands, including hyper-extends, breaks, tendonitis, joint inflammation, and separation.
What Are the Various Hand Syndromes That Are Linked to Diabetes?
The various hand syndromes that may be directly or indirectly linked to diabetes include:
1.Diabetic Stiff Hand Syndrome (DSHS): Diabetic stiff hand syndrome, or DSHS, is otherwise called diabetic cheiroarthropathy (limited joint movement). As the name suggests, finger development becomes restricted because of increased stiffness of the hands. Hand stiffness can make even the most simple tasks increasingly troublesome. DSHS is one of the most widely recognized hand problems in individuals with diabetes. It will generally happen first in the pinky finger or little finger and, after some time, spread to the thumb.
Symptoms of Diabetic Stiff Hand Syndrome:
The symptoms of this condition may include:
-
Inability to straighten fingers.
-
Waxy-looking skin.
-
The skin may appear tight.
-
Inability to bring the fingers together.
Risk Factors of Diabetic Stiff Hand Syndrome:
The risk factors for stiff hands are long-standing and uncontrolled diabetes.
Treatment of Diabetic Stiff Hand Syndrome:
The stiff diabetic hand cannot be reversed. But it can, however, be improved using various physical therapies. However, this condition can be prevented if the blood glucose levels are maintained and controlled.
2. Dupuytren’s Contracture: Dupuytren's contracture may also known as Dupuytren's disease, is a condition where the connective tissue in the center of the hand thickens and contracts. Bunches of tissue can shape under the skin and can ultimately make a thick string that pulls at least one finger into a bowed position.
Symptoms of Dupuytren’s Contracture:
The symptoms of this condition may include:
-
A bent finger that may not straighten.
-
Inability to straighten the finger even on a table.
Risk Factors of Dupuytren’s Contracture:
The risk factors of Dupuytren's contracture may include:
-
Type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
-
Its occurrence is more common in type-1 diabetes.
-
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing this condition.
-
Familial history of this condition.
-
Alcohol or smoking habits with diabetes.
-
Side effects of anti-epileptic medications.
Treatment of Dupuytren’s Contracture:
Mild instances of Dupuytren's that don't advance rapidly may not need treatment. However, more serious cases can be treated by cutting or severing the ligaments that are pulling on the fingers. This will be achieved by a procedure called needling, in which a needle is inserted through the skin to penetrate and break the cord. This doesn't really "fix" the condition, however on the off chance that it repeats, needling can be rehashed. Needling can't be utilized in cases where it can cause tendon damage.
3. Trigger Finger: A trigger finger or thumb happens when the finger is fixed up in a bowed way. The finger might snap when it is twisted or fixed. The medical name of the trigger finger is stenosing tenosynovitis, and it happens when the sheath encompassing the ligament in the impacted finger becomes inflamed or irritated. In severe cases, the finger may even remain bent.
Symptoms of Trigger Finger:
The symptoms of trigger finger may include:
-
The snapping of the finger while moving it.
-
Finger stiffness.
-
Pain in the base of the finger.
-
It may be occasionally associated with swelling.
-
The finger may get locked.
Risk Factors of Trigger Finger:
The various risk factors for trigger finger include:
-
Uncontrolled diabetes.
-
It occurs more commonly in people over the age of 40 years.
-
Women are more commonly affected by it.
Treatment of Trigger Finger:
Mild cases of trigger finger can be managed by:
-
Using splints.
-
Practicing exercises.
-
Controlling diabetes.
-
Steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs can give relief.
Moderate to severe cases can be managed by:
-
Surgery.
-
Percutaneous release is a procedure that relieves tight tendons.
4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) happens when the median nerve (the nerve that runs from the forearm into the palm) is pinched due to the action of the wrist. The median nerve is present inside the carpal tunnel. The carpel tunnel is a rigid pathway that encompasses many ligaments and bones of the hand. The median nerve gives sensation to the palm facet of the thumb and to the index, middle, and part of the ring finger. The median nerve does not give sensation to the little finger. CTS can occur when the thickening of the tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and compresses the median nerve.
Symptoms of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome:
The symptoms of this condition may include:
-
Numbness of the fingers that are supplied by the median nerve.
-
Difficulty in performing tasks that involve the hand.
-
Hot or cold insensitivity.
-
The tingling sensation of the fingers.
Risk Factors Of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome:
The various risk factors of carpel tunnel syndrome may include the following:
-
Injury of the wrist.
-
Any tumor on the wrist.
-
Cyst of the wrist.
-
Diabetes.
-
Activities that may cause overuse of the wrist.
Treatment Of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome:
The various treatment options for carpel tunnel syndrome may include the following:
-
Use split to prevent wrist strain.
-
Adjustment of the working desk according to one’s needs.
-
Application of ice packs.
-
Prescribing anti-inflammatory medications to give pain relief.
-
Steroid injections.
-
If the condition is caused due to any tumor or cyst, then take steps to treat them.
-
Surgery if necessary.
Conclusion
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to various conditions of the hand and wrist. However, the exact reason behind this is still being determined. These conditions to a large extent, are prevented if the blood glucose levels are stable. In case of any hand or wrist difficulties, medical attention should be obtained at the earliest to prevent further deterioration of the condition.
