Tendinopathy refers to pain that occurs in and around your tendons (your tendons connect your muscles to your bones). Typically, tendinopathy is the result of overuse or repetitive movements, but in people with type 2 diabetes chronically elevated blood sugar levels may increase the risk.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shed light on this association, providing “strong evidence that diabetes is associated with higher risk of tendinopathy.”

More than 30 studies were analyzed, which showed not only is tendinopathy more prevalent in people with diabetes, but the opposite also holds true in that diabetes is more prevalent in people with tendinopathy.¹

Type 2 Diabetes May Triple Your Risk of Tendon Pain

The study revealed that people with type 2 diabetes are more than three times as likely to have tendon pain compared to those without diabetes. Further, people with tendinopathy are 30 percent more likely to have diabetes than those without tendon pain.

There are multiple reasons why this association deserves increased attention, not the least of which is the fact that tendinopathy can be quite painful and may interfere with a person’s quality of life.

Beyond this, there is evidence that Achilles tendinopathy in diabetics may lead to increased forefoot pressure and the development of plantar forefoot ulcers, which may cause deep infection and lower extremity amputation.²

However, one of the greatest risks of tendinopathy to people with diabetes is that a painful tendon may stop you from being physically active, which is one of the most important and effective treatments for diabetes.