Limited joint mobility in adults with diabetes mellitus

Limited joint mobility (LJM) has been identified as a manifestation of diabetes in some children; this study assessed whether LJM is a phenomenon that also affects persons with adult-onset diabetes mellitus (DM). For the purpose of this study, I defined LJM as limitation in at least two anatomical areas of the right upper extremity. I studied 19 right-handed men (10 without DM, 9 with adult-onset DM) aged 53 to 70 years. The right upper extremity active range of motion of eight motions was evaluated, as was the ability to flatten the hand fully. Intrarater reliability of the results of testing the ROM of six subjects on three occasions was calculated to have an average intraclass correlation coefficient of .98. Student's t-test results showed that the patients with DM had significantly less (p less than .05) ROM in their fingers and in shoulder abduction than the age-matched controls, suggesting that some adults with DM do have LJM. If the limitations are major, progressive, or symptomatic, physical therapy would be indicated to maintain ROM, to minimize pain, and to help the patient to be functionally independent. The results of this study suggest that physical therapists should be aware of the need to address LJM when treating patients with DM. For prophylactic treatment, patients with DM could be instructed routinely in ROM exercises.