Diabetes mellitus is common in Western countries. Secondary complications in various organs occur after type 1 as well as type 2 diabetes. Complications, such as nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy, are well known. Specific efforts to treat complications in the lower leg--"the diabetic foot"--have been emphasized. Various complications to diabetes occur also in the upper extremity and hand--"the diabetic hand"--and include not only more specific diabetic-related conditions like limited joint mobility but conditions related to the non-diabetic hand, such as trigger finger, Dupuytren's contracture and peripheral nerve compression lesions are also seen. Following surgical treatment of the latter conditions extra care of patients with diabetes mellitus--for example physiotherapy and help by an occupational therapist--may have to be provided. This review describes complications in the hand in diabetes mellitus.