Joint Tuberculosis

What are the symptoms of Joint Tuberculosis? How is it treated? Can it spread from one joint to the others?

[Dr_Veena]

Hi,
    How are you? Tuberculosis of the joints is not a clinical oddity and a diagnosis of tuberculous infection must be considered in all joint lesions if diagnosis is to be made early. Bone and Joint tuberculosis results from haematogenous spread from a pulmonary or other visceral or lymph node focus.

A history of insidious onset of pain, especially if accompanied by pulmonary symptoms or a history of contact with a tuberculous person, should cause a suspicion of joint tuberculosis. The tuberculin test, roentgenograms, culture of aspirated fluids and biopsy, by anthrotomy or punch, continue to be the standard procedures for establishing the diagnosis.
Chemotherapy combining streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin with isonicotinic acid hydrazid and para-aminosalicylic acid is of extreme value in the eradication of draining sinuses and in the advancement of the ideal surgical date; but general physical and mental hygiene, rest and the prevention or correction of deformities is a continuing therapeutic necessity.

As I mentioned earlier it spreads haematogenously, it can affect all the joints by carrying the infection through the blood.
Consult your orthopaedician for further assistance.
Take care.