PHYSIOTHERAPY OF PATIENT WITH DIABETES AND ARTHRITIS
*Homod Saleh Al-Shammari and Dr. Vamsi Krishna
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes causes musculoskeletal changes that lead to
symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness; swelling; nodules under the
skin, particularly in the fingers; tight, thickened skin; trigger finger;
carpal tunnel syndrome; painful shoulders; and severely affected feet.
After having had diabetes for several years, joint damage called
diabetic arthropathy can occur. Objective: The study aimed to present
the effect of diabetes on arthritis pathology and tried to establish
correlation with these diseases. Methodology: Fifteen participants were
randomly assigned into 3 groups; control group G1 (receive exercises
only) and 2 experimental groups; G2 (shock wave + exercise) and G3
(ultrasound + exercise). Each group received two sessions per a week for 4 weeks; each
session includes 15 min. exposure (shock wave or Ultrasound) and 15 min. exercise (flexion,
extension, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation). The outcome measures used in
this study were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) that scored by all participants who
completed the four-week course. Results: In control group G1, the average VAS was 6.2cm
upon entry to the program and the average ODQ score was 43.4% before treatment. Four
weeks later, average scores were 5.9 cm for the VAS and 40.7% for the ODQ. Age-related
pre- and post-test differences were interesting. The 16-35-year-old age group was improved
by 70% on VAS scores and by 23% on ODQ scores. The 36-50-year-olds scored an average
of 24% improvement on the VAS and 9% on the ODQ while the 51-65-year-olds improved
by 35% and 16% on the VAS and ODQ respectively. Conclusion: A treatment plan include
sessions of shock waves and stretching and strengthening exercises for a month was more
effective in the treatment of diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Keywords: Diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis, pain.
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