If you live with diabetes, you may be familiar with complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and lower limb amputations (to name a few). But you may not be as familiar with a disorder of diabetes nerve damage called diabetic amyotrophy.

This rare condition acts differently from other types of neuropathy (nerve damage).

This article will outline what you need to know about diabetic amyotrophy and what to do if you’re diagnosed with this diabetes complication.

Diabetic amyotrophy is a rare form of diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage.

It’s also known by other names:

This complication is rare, affecting only about 1% of adults with diabetes. It’s less common in those with type 1 diabetes. It’s also more likely to affect men.

This diabetes-related complication causes pain and muscle wasting in the hips, thighs, buttocks, and legs. Occasionally, it may also affect the chest and abdomen.

Typical diabetic neuropathy is much more common, with at least 50% of all people with diabetes experiencing it at some point.

However, diabetic amyotrophy is not as common. It also affects a much wider area of the body and does not typically cause weight loss.

Contrary to popular belief, this type of neuropathy even affects people with well-managed diabetes. This is different from diabetes-related neuropathy, which is often caused by long-term high blood sugar levels.

Both conditions have the potential to cause discomfort and severe health outcomes. They both require a medical diagnosis from a healthcare professional.

The symptoms of diabetic amyotrophy include:

People with diabetic amyotrophy may also develop foot drop (or drop foot), where the front part of the foot drags on the ground when walking due to nerve problems in the legs. About two-thirds of people experience these symptoms on only one side of their bodies. However, the condition can progress to the other side of the body as well.

The condition usually lasts several months, but it can linger for up to 3 years. By the end of this time period, most people have typically recovered, although not always completely.

Symptoms may be severe enough that some people will need to use a wheelchair.

Diagnosis for this condition is usually done through a process of elimination.

If your doctor thinks that you may have diabetic amyotrophy, they may refer you to either a neurologist or another diabetes specialist for more testing. Those additional tests may include:

Your muscles may also be examined for weakness and wasting, with special attention given to your leg reflexes.

Your medical team may order a complete blood count (CBC) panel. Other lab tests may also be ordered to specifically check for vitamin deficiencies and folate, vitamin B12, thiamine, and copper levels.

Because diabetic amyotrophy is a diabetes-related complication, your A1C levels and overall diabetes management will likely also be reviewed.

While diabetic amyotrophy usually does not require treatment, a few interventions may help alleviate painful and uncomfortable symptoms:

Yes, physical therapy can be key in helping people maintain and improve muscles weakened and damaged by diabetic amyotrophy.

Physical therapists can teach you helpful exercises to strengthen muscles, while occupational therapists can recommend adaptable devices, such as reachers, raised toilet seats, or stools to help you better manage the condition in your home or at your workplace and to alleviate pain.

While most people will benefit from these therapies and gain much of their strength back, improvement doesn’t happen right away.

Recovery can take years, and it’s important to know that in most cases, a full recovery is not possible.

Diabetic amyotrophy is a rare diabetic nerve complication that only about 1% of adults with diabetes are diagnosed with. It’s a painful form of neuropathy that mostly affects the thighs, buttocks, hips, legs, and sometimes the chest and abdomen. This complication may also cause pain and muscle wasting, lasting anywhere from several months to years.

Diabetic amyotrophy is not solely caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels. Even people with well-managed glucose levels can develop it. It’s more common in men and in people with type 2 diabetes. Treatments range from over-the-counter and prescribed pain medications to spinal cord and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Last medically reviewed on August 17, 2022

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