KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS AND DIABETES: UNRAVELLING THE LINK BETWEEN HYPERGLYCAEMIA AND JOINT HEALTH

Abstract

Background: Degenerative joint disorders like osteoarthritis typically affect weight-bearing joints like the spine, hips, and knees. For people who experience it, pain and a decrease in joint flexibility can severely impair their quality of life, make it difficult to accomplish daily tasks, and limit their mobility. Hyperglycaemia, a defining feature of diabetes, can accelerate cartilage degradation, induce inflammation, and lead to joint degeneration. Additionally, the natural ability of cartilage to renew itself may be hampered in diabetics due to poor circulation and nerve damage, which would be harmful to joint health. Therefore, it is essential to look at the relationship between the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee and the hyperglycaemic state in diabetics. This study aims to determine whether knee osteoarthritis progression and the hyperglycaemic condition in diabetics are related. Methods: For this systematic review, academic publications were retrieved from reputable search engines, including Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, Springer, and Elsevier. The literature search used relevant keywords to find solutions to the study questions. The publications were thoroughly assessed utilising the PRISMA systematic review strategy. Results: According to the review, hyperglycaemia and the progression of osteoarthritis in the knee are clearly related, with high glucose levels causing inflammation and cartilage deterioration. Compared to non-diabetics, diabetic individuals displayed more discomfort and functional impairments. Conclusion: In osteoarthritis, poor glycaemic management can accelerate the degradation of the knee joint. Physiotherapy and diabetes control together may enhance joint health and general function.