The Bruns-Garland syndrome (diabetic amyotrophy) is a rare disorder that affects fewer than 1% of patients with diabetes. It is manifested by unilateral or bilateral pain, weakness and muscle wasting in the proximal part of the lower limbs (proximal motor neuropathy). We present a 72-year-old patient with long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus and with the Bruns-Garland syndrome. All the symptoms, including neurological manifestations, were reversible and resolved after the implementation of intensive treatment. Optimizing diabetes treatment, rehabilitation, pain management and the use of benfotiamine and alpha-lipoic acid preparations were crucial to accelerate the treatment effects of diabetic amyotrophy.