Tuberculous arthritis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Tuberculous arthritis

Definition:

Tuberculous arthritis is an infection of the joints caused by tuberculosis. (See also spondylitis.)

Alternative Names:

Granulomatous arthritis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Approximately 1% 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 gibbous deformity (humpback) that is thought to have been caused by tuberculosis.

Tuberculous arthritis 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.

Review Date: 7/8/2004
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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