skip to main content

Diabetic amyotrophy — SCE Endocrinology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardDiabetes complicationsDiabetic amyotrophySCE Endocrinology

A man with diabetes develops severe unilateral thigh pain, weight loss and subsequent quadriceps wasting. MRI excludes compressive radiculopathy. Which plan is most appropriate?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: AUse analgesia and rehabilitation with diabetes optimisation and differential review

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · E = shown as B · A = shown as D · D = shown as E

B is correct. Diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy is usually monophasic and managed with analgesia, rehabilitation, mobility support and sensible glycaemic optimisation after excluding compression, malignancy and other plexopathies. Immunotherapy evidence is limited and does not justify routine high-dose steroid or plasma exchange. Decompression lacks a radiological target, while statin myopathy is usually symmetric and painless.

Reference: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10563941/