Tuberculosis of bone

Tuberculosis is an ever increasing problem is the wake of multi-drug resistant strains. It is primarily a disease of the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body such as organs and bone. Tuberculosis is caused by an airborne bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is transmitted when a person coughs or sneezes.

Usually, the initial exposure does not cause illness, but symptoms start much later, even decades may pass from the time the bacterium enters the body before a person realizes they maybe infected.

Tuberculosis of the bone occurs in 10% - 20% of all cases and can affect any bone in the body including the bones of the foot. Symptoms include pain and swelling of the bone or joint, a cold abscess may form over the infected bone. Additionally, patients suffer from fever and weight loss.

Radiographs (Xrays) will show soft tissue swelling, erosions (dark spots), loss of joint space and osteopenia (thinning of the bone).

This is an X-ray of a 38 year old female who presented to our practice with a complaint of pain, swelling and multiple small draining wounds to her foot of 2 years duration. She did not recall a history of recent fevers of weight loss. Tests later confirmed she was suffering from tuberculosis of the bone.

Tuberculosis of the bone is primarily a medical problem and is managed by infectious disease specialist. However, resection of the damaged bone and reconstruction of deformity may also be necessary.