Limitation of finger joint mobility in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus, both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent, is associated with limitation of joint mobility of the fingers, which can be due to connective tissue changes, neuropathy, vasculopathy, or combinations of these problems. Distinct clinical problems include Dupuytren disease, flexor tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome (diabetic hand), stiff hand syndrome, shoulder-hand syndrome (reflex dystrophy) and limited joint mobility (LJM). Stiff hand and LJM syndromes are only seen with diabetes; the others have distinct clinical characteristics in those with diabetes compared to the nondiabetic presentation. LJM is of particular interest because it is common in young patients and associated with an increased risk for the serious complications of nephropathy and retinopathy.