Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from either the body’s inability to produce enough insulin or resistance to the effects of insulin. While most people are aware of the common complications associated with diabetes, such as kidney disease, vision problems, and cardiovascular disease, many may not realize that diabetes can also cause joint pain.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop arthritis and debilitating joint pain if the condition is unmanaged. The main cause of joint pain in people with diabetes is high blood sugar levels which cause inflammation in the joints and connective tissues around them.