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Case Reports
. 2024 Mar 8;2024(3):rjae123.
doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjae123. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Understanding diabetic cheiroarthropathy: a focus on clinical presentation

Elijah M Persad-Paisley  1 , Chanbin Lee  1 , Reena A Bhatt  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Understanding diabetic cheiroarthropathy: a focus on clinical presentation

Elijah M Persad-Paisley et al. J Surg Case Rep. .

Abstract

Diabetic cheiroarthropathy (DCA) is a relatively uncommon and underdiagnosed complication of poorly controlled diabetes. It is caused by non-enzymatic glycation of collagen that ultimately leads to microvascular damage and polyarticular stiffness. If diagnosed early, optimal management of serum glucose levels may lessen joint stiffness and prevent microvascular and macrovascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus. We review the case of a 55-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus who was diagnosed with DCA after complaints of chronic joint stiffness and immobility.

Keywords: diabetic cheiroarthropathy; diabetic hand syndrome; hyperglycemia.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Images depicting patient hands after being instructed to lay flat on a level surface. Dorsal (A) and volar (B) aspects of the bilateral hands demonstrating marked joint enlargement and prominent flexion of bilateral MCP joints (right > left).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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