Diabetes can affect the bones and joints in various parts of the body. For a diabetic, hands may be affected in several ways. Poor blood sugar control, characteristic of diabetes, can change the protein and collagen in a patient’s tissues, damaging small blood vessels and causing musculoskeletal disorders of the hands. In addition, diabetic neuropathies, or nerve disorders common in diabetics, can damage the hands over time. People with diabetes may experience problems with their hands including numbness, stiff-hand syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. While not all diabetics will develop these conditions, those who do may find it increasingly difficult to carry out day-to-day activities.

Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms: Hands

For a diabetic, hands related issues can indicate a problem with the nerves in the body. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes experience some form of nerve disorders, or neuropathy, with the highest rates among patients …