It may come as a surprise when your physiotherapist asks, “Do you have diabetes?” during an injury assessment. At first glance, this might seem like a question better suited for your doctor—but it’s actually quite relevant to your recovery and treatment plan.
The Link Between Diabetes and Healing
Diabetes can significantly influence how quickly and effectively the body heals after an injury. In fact, tissue repair can sometimes take up to twice as long for individuals with diabetes. Because of this, your physiotherapist may need to modify your rehabilitation approach to account for slower healing.
Why Does Diabetes Affect Recovery?
At first, it might not seem obvious how a condition like diabetes impacts healing. But the connection becomes clearer when we look at how diabetes affects blood circulation.
Our blood vessels—veins and arteries—are built to be elastic, allowing them to expand or contract depending on how much blood needs to reach certain areas of the body. This adaptability is essential for ensuring damaged tissues receive the right amount of oxygen and nutrients at the right time.
In diabetes, there is an excess of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. This happens when the body cannot regulate insulin properly—either due to an autoimmune condition that prevents insulin production (Type 1 diabetes) or from insulin resistance commonly linked to lifestyle and dietary factors (Type 2 diabetes). Over time, high blood sugar can damage the walls of blood vessels, making them stiffer and less able to expand. This restricts blood flow, which in turn limits the body’s ability to heal.
Additionally, diabetes can harm nerve function, especially in the hands and feet. When sensation is reduced, a person may not notice if an injury is worsening, which can further delay recovery.
What Does This Mean for Your Rehab?
Not every person with diabetes will experience delayed healing, but it is more common in those with long-term or poorly controlled diabetes. That’s why it’s important to let your physiotherapist know if you have diabetes, so they can take it into account when designing your treatment plan.
Speak with your physiotherapist about how diabetes might be influencing your recovery and ask for personalized strategies to support better healing and outcomes.