...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format!
Tuberculous Arthritis is an infection of the joints caused by tuberculosis. The joints most frequently involved are the spine, hips, knees, wrists, and ankles. Most cases involve just one joint. Tuberculosis involving the spine is often referred to as Pott's disease. The hunchback of Notre Dame had a gibbous deformity (humpback) thought to have been caused by tuberculosis.
Symptoms:
Low-grade fever
Excessive sweating, especially at night
Weight loss or loss of appetite
Joint swelling
Warm, tender joints
Decreased joint mobility
Spinal mass, numbness, tingling, or weakness of the legs
Causes:
Approximately 2% of people affected with tuberculosis will develop associated arthritis. The joints most frequently involved are the spine, hips, knees, wrists, and ankles. Most cases involve just one joint.
Tuberculosis involving the spine is often referred to as Pott's disease. The fictional Hunchback of Notre Dame had a humpback that is thought to have been caused by tuberculosis.
This disease can be very destructive. In particular, if the spine is involved, a patient may have numbness, tingling, or weakness below the level of the infection. Muscle atrophy and muscle spasms can occur.
Treatment:
Antibiotics will be given to destroy the bacteria that are causing the tuberculosis infection.
Pain killers and application of heat or cold to the joints may provide relief of pain. Surgery may be necessary, especially to drain spinal abscesses or to stabilize the spine. Surgery is rarely needed for infections of other sites.
