The aging process is the key factor in the development of musculoskeletal diseases. According to Frontera (2017), the aging of the general population is currently a significant problem while the average life expectancy has already exceeded 80 years. Such elderly age is associated with decreased functional capacity and the development of various impairments which, in turn, lead to the loss of independence (Frontera, 2017). These factors are influential on the process of acquiring diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Physical changes in the aging body result in the loss of the ability to perform tasks that require specific levels of energy (Frontera, 2017). As muscles become weaker in the elderly, falls and bone fractures become much more dangerous than at a younger age (Frontera, 2017). Therefore, aging is the central risk factor in the development of musculoskeletal diseases.
Diabetes is the most common disease of the metabolic system. It can lead to various complications and comorbidities such as heart disease and stroke. Additionally, diabetes is associated with musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis (Rehling et al., 2019). Researchers suggest that pain from the musculoskeletal system is a common problem which patients with diabetes experience (Rehling et al., 2019). This issue is reported by diabetic patients more often than in the general population (Rehling et al., 2019). One of the symptoms of diabetes is the inability to be physically active which, in turn, can lead to the implications associated with the musculoskeletal system (Rehling et al., 2019). Therefore, there is a strong correlation between diabetes and problems of the musculoskeletal system.
In order to tackle the issue of pain associated with the musculoskeletal system in persons with diabetes, such patients should be advised to increase the levels of their physical activity. According to Rehling et al. (2018), exercise is recommended for diabetic patients with an elevated risk of musculoskeletal issues as physical activity can lead to decreased pain associated with the condition. Therefore, since diabetic patients are more likely to experience such problems of the musculoskeletal system than the general population, they should be trained by healthcare providers on the importance of exercise.
References
Frontera, W. R. (2017). Physiologic changes of the musculoskeletal system with aging. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 28(4), 705–711.
Rehling, T., Bjørkman, A.-S. D., Andersen, M. B., Ekholm, O., & Molsted, S. (2019). Diabetes is associated with musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Diabetes Research, 2019, 1–6.